Carmen:
SCENE 1:  (laughs) Well yes, I suppose that could be
Narrator: a reason.
In THE BALCONY DON JULIAN AND  
CARMEN ARE TALKING. DON JULIAN IS SCENE 2:
BUSY TENDING TO THE PLANTS WHILE  Narrator:
CARMEN HELPS HIM. In THE FAMILY LIVING ROOM DON
  JULIAN beside CARMEN SIT AT THE
Carmen: SOFA together with ALFREDO who PACES
 Papa, Alfredo seems quiet lately. AROUNDTHE LIVING ROOM and
  ESPERANZA who SITS ON THE OTHER
Don Julian: COUCH.
 Maybe he's been deeply in thought of his  
marriage. Don Julian:
   So when will be your wedding?
Carmen:  
 I wonder why he seems to be still thinking Esperanza:
about getting married. He's already thirty  We want our wedding to be as quick as
years old! And I'm pretty sure Esperanza is possible yet well prepared, so Alfredo and I
already becoming anxious. decided to schedule it in three months' time.
   
Don Julian: Carmen:
 She does not seem to be in much of a  In three months? Is that enough time?
hurry either.  
  Alfredo:
Carmen:  We think so. After all, the parish priest isa
 How can a woman be in a hurry when the very close friend of the family. Am I right,
man does not hurry her? Papa, do you papa?
remember how much in love he was?  
  Don Julian:
Don Julian:  Yes. The Reverend Father has been a
 In love? With whom? close friend of mine. The preparations for
  the church wedding would be somewhat
Carmen: more easy.
 With Esperanza, of course. He has not had  
another love affair that I know of. What I Carmen:
mean is that at the beginning he was  How about the guests?
enthusiastic--flowers, serenades, notes, and  
things like that--What do you think Alfredo:
happened?  We got the reception covered.
   
Don Julian: Esperanza:
 I supposed long-engaged people are like  We called some of our friends who are in
that; warm now, cool tomorrow. The very the business of arranging events to come
fact that an engagement has been allowed and help us. So it won't be much of a
to prolong itself argues a certain calmness problem.
of affection between both of them. That  
phase you were speaking of is natural Don Julian:
enough for a beginning.  Are you sure?
 
 
Carmen:  
 You didn't even asked us for our help. Alfredo:
   Alright. So what time tomorrow
Esperanza: evening, papa?
 (laughs) Oh, Carmen, do not be so sad. We  
would still need you for the arrangements Don Julian:
with the church.  Maybe past 6 o'clock. Esperanza are you
  sure you can't come?
Don Julian:
 By the way, Judge Del Valle is inviting us to Esperanza
dinner tomorrow evening. It would be a : How I wish I could. Don't worry, I'll be fine.
fantastic time to get to know each other. enjoy yourselves.
   
Carmen: SCENE 3:
 Judge Del Valle? Doesn't he have a sister?  Narrator:
  In THE HOUSE OF THE JUDGE DON
Don Julian: JULIAN, CARMEN, ALFREDO, THE
 Oh, yes. Julia Salas. I've met her before. JUDGE AND JULIA finally met IN THE
Very nice young girl. LIVING ROOM and started to get along.
   
Carmen: Judge:
 I gratefully accept their invitation. It's a  Welcome, Don Julian! Who are
great time for us to bond with the neighbors. these people you've brought with you?
and besides, the silence in this house is driv  
ing me insane. I'd like to get out. Don Julian: Ah, here's my daughter
  Carmen.
Don Julian:  
 How about You two? (to Esperanza and Carmen:
Alfredo)  (walks to the Judge and shakes his hand) a
  pleasure to meet you!
Alfredo:  
 (looks at Esperanza. Esperanza nods with Don Julian:
approval.) Sure. We'd be happy to come  And this is Alfredo, my son.
with you.  
   Alfredo shake hands with the Judge.
Esperanza:  
 Oh, I almost forgot. Narrator: after the shaking of hands of the
  two Julia emerges from her room wearing a
Carmen: dress and everyone in the living room
 What is it? looked at her.
   
Esperanza: Judge:
 I have to attend to something across town  Oh, there you are, my dear, I thought you
tomorrow. were going to leave me here to tend to our
  guests all alone. Everyone, this is Julia
Alfredo: Salas, my dear sister-in-law.
 Do you want me to come with you?  
  Julia:
Esperanza:  A pleasure to meet you, everyone.
 Oh, no need. It's for my Women's Club.
You'd get bored with it, anyway (laughs).  
Judge:  That is nothing, Each time I was about to
 (to Julia) Where is my wife? correct you, but I remembered a similar experience
  I had once before.
Julia:  
 Oh. It seems that the journey to Manila has Alfredo:
made her exhausted and she retired to her  Tell me about it.
room almost immediately after arriving earlier.  
  Julia:
Judge:  A man named Manalang--I kept calling him
 Ah. Of course. well, tell the maids to serve Manalo. After the tenth time or so, the
our dinner. young man rose from his seat and said
  suddenly, 'Pardon me, but my name
 Narrator: The Judge gestures is Manalang, Manalang.' You know, I never
for everyone to sit. The table was full of forgave him! Because of humiliation I
food and stories and everyone was having pretended not to hear, and to let the other
a good time. person find out his mistake without help.
 
SCENE 4: Alfredo:
  Wow, that really is embarrassing
Still at the JUDGE'S HOUSE AFTER THE  
DINNER, ALFREDO sat beside JULIA who Narrator: They both laughed and enjoyed
was sitting in the couch and started a each other’s time when Julia remembered
conversation with her. the time.
   
Alfredo: Julia:
 Why were you laughing during dinner?  Well (standing up) Time seems to fly away
  when you are enjoying yourself, doesn't it?
Julia:  
 (giggles) It's nothing. Alfredo:
  Yes, it does.
Alfredo:  
 Oh come on. I'm pretty sure it meant Julia:
something.  It's getting late. Thank you so much for
  your time.
Julia:  
 (giggles again) when you were calling me Alfredo:
Ms. Del Valle.  No, thank you.
   
Alfredo: Julia:
 Oh?  shall we see each other again?
   
Julia: Alfredo: Maybe some other time. (Turns to
 You see, I'm not  Ms. Del Valle. the door) Now I have to go. Goodbye, Ms.
 I'm Julia Salas. Salas.
   
Alfredo: Julia:
 Oh, I see. My apologies.  Call me Julia.
   
Julia: Alfredo:
 Alright then. see you soon, Julia.
 
  Nobody's too old to flirt.

   
SCENE 5: SCENE 6:
   ON THE OTHER SIDE AT THE JUDGE'S
Narrator: AT DON JULIAN'S LIVING HOUSE DON JULIAN AND THE JUDGE
ROOM, ESPERANZA TOGETHER WITH ARE HAVING A CONVERSATION
CARMEN ARE BUSY CLEANING AND
THEY SAW ALFREDO WALKS OUT TO Don Julian:
THE DOOR.  I am very much into plants. Farming has
  been my family's business for years now.
Esperanza:  
 Where are you going? Judge:
   Yes, it is evident in your plantation. By the
Alfredo: way, I would like to show to you our
 Uh, to the Judge's. own plantation
  in our rest house. Would you and your family
Esperanza: like to come?
 Why go there?  
  Don Julian:
Alfredo:  Of course, my friend. You plant?
 (Shrugs) Just chatting with a friend.  
  Judge:
Carmen:  I try. Coconuts.
 who? Julia?  
  Don Julian:
Alfredo:  Of course. When would this be?
 (nods) why?  
  Judge:
Esperanza:  This coming summer.
 you seem pretty close  
with this woman. Don Julian:
  Yes, we'd be happy to come.
Alfredo:  
 (sighs) Esperanza, don't tell me you're - Judge:
 Excellent.
Esperanza:  
 No I most certainly am not jealous. SCENE 7:
Just......don't be long.  
  AS WHAT WAS THE JUDGE AND DON
Alfredo: JULIAN ARE TALKING ABOUT, THEY ARE
 All right. I won't. (walks out the door) NOW AT THE REST HOUSE TOGETHER
  WITH JULIA AND ALFREDO. IT IS NIGHT
Carmen: TIME. JULIA AND ALFREDO ARE
 Shouldn't you be worried? TALKING.
   
Esperanza: Julia:
 Why should I? I trust Alfredo. And besides, The afternoon has seemed very short,
he's too old to flirt. hasn’t it?" Then, "This, I think, is the last
  time--we can visit.
Carmen:  
Alfredo:
 The last? Why?
   
Julia: Alfredo:
 Oh, you will be too busy perhaps.  There is nothing to see--little crooked
  streets, bunt roofs with ferns
Alfredo: growing on them, and sometimes squashes.
 Do I seem especially industrious to you?  
  Julia:
Julia:  Nothing? There is you.
 If you are, you never look it. Not perspiring  
or breathless, as a busy man ought to be Alfredo:
   Oh, me? But I am here.
Alfredo:  
 But-- Julia:
   I will not go, of course, until you are there.
Julia:  
 Always unhurried, too unhurried, and calm. Alfredo:
   Will you come? You will find it dull. There
Alfredo: isn't even one American there!
 I wish that were true.  
  Julia:
 A short pause.  Well--Americans are rather essential to my
entertainment. (laughs)
Alfredo:  
 A man is happier if he is, as you say, calm  Another short pause.
and placid.  
  Julia:
Julia:  We live on Calle Luz, a little street with
 Like a carabao in a mud pool. trees.
   
Alfredo: Alfredo:
 Who? I?  Could I find that?
   
Julia: Julia:
 Oh, no!  If you don't ask for Miss del Valle.
   
Alfredo: Alfredo:
 You said I am calm and placid.  I'll inquire about--
   
Julia: Julia:
 That is what I think.  What?
   
Alfredo: Alfredo:
 I used to think so too. Shows how little we  The house of the prettiest girl in the town
know ourselves.  
  Julia:
Julia:  There is where you will lose your
 I should like to see your home town. way. Now, that is not quite sincere.
 
Alfredo:
 It is.  
  Alfredo:
 Can't I come to say good-bye?
Julia:  
 I thought you, at least, would not say such Julia:
things.  Oh, you don't need to!
 
 Alfredo: Alfredo:
 Pretty--pretty--a foolish word! But there is  No, but I want to.
none other more handy I did not mean that  
quite-- Julia:
   There is no time.
Julia:  
 Are you withdrawing the compliment?  Another short pause.
   
Alfredo: Julia:
 Re-enforcing it, maybe. Something is pretty  Home seems so far from here. This is
when it pleases the eye--it is more than that almost like another life.
when--  
  Alfredo:
Julia:  I know. This is Elsewhere, and yet strange
 If it saddens? enough, I cannot get rid of the old things.
   
Alfredo: Julia:
 Exactly.  Old things?
   
Julia: Alfredo:
 It must be ugly.  Oh, old things, mistakes, encumbrances,
  old baggage.
Alfredo:  
 Always? While they were talking they were
  interrupted when They hear Don Julian
Julia: calling them.
 No, of course you are right.  
  Julia:
Alfredo: I think we should go now, Good-bye. (walks
 Why did you say this is the last time? away and leaves Alfredo)
   
Julia: SCENE 9
 I am going home.  
  AT THE CHURCH. THE PROCESSION.
 Another short pause.  ALFREDO SEES THE PROCESSION OF
  THE PATRON FROM THE CHURCH.
Alfredo: JULIA WAS ALSO WATCHING THE
 When? PROCESSION.
   
Julia: Alfredo:
 Tomorrow. I received a letter from Father  (walks up to Julia) Good evening.
and Mother yesterday. They want me to  
spend Holy Week at home. That is why I Julia:
said this is the last time."  Good evening.
 Alfredo:
 They say. Would you come?
   
Alfredo: Julia:
 I had been thinking all this time that you  Why not?
had gone,  
  Alfredo:
Julia:  No reason. I am just asking. Then you will?
 No, my sister asked me to stay until they  
are ready to go. Julia:
   If you will ask me
Alfredo:  
 Oh, is the Judge going? Alfredo:
   Then I ask you.
Julia:  
 Yes. Julia:
   Then I will be there.
 A short pause.  
  Alfredo:
Julia  Julia, did you ever have to
: Mr. Salazar, I wish to congratulate you. choose between something you wanted to d
  o and something you had to do?
Alfredo:  
 For what? Julia:
   No!
Julia:  
 For your approaching wedding. I should Alfredo:
have offered congratulations long before,  I thought maybe you had had that experience;
but you know mere visitors are slow about then you could understand a man who was
getting the news. in such a situation.
 
Short pause  A short pause.
 
Alfredo: Alfredo:
 Are weddings interesting to you?  You are fortunate.
   
Julia: Julia:
 When they are of friends, yes.  Is--is this man sure of what he should do?
   
Alfredo: Alfredo:
 Would you come if I asked you?  I don't know, Julia. Perhaps not. But there
  is a point where a thing escapes us and
Julia: rushes downward of its own weight,
 When is it going to be? dragging us along. Then it is foolish to ask
  whether one will or will not, because it no
Alfredo: longer depends on him.
 (sighs) May.  
  Julia:
Julia:  But then why--why--Oh, what do I know?
 May is the month of happiness they say. That is his problem after all.
   
Alfredo: whom she is not married--is that it? It may
 Doesn't it--interest you? be wrong, and again it may not.
   
Julia: Esperanza:
 Why must it? I--I have to say good-bye, Mr.  She has injured us. She was ungrateful.
Salazar; it is getting late.  
  Alfredo:
Alfredo:  The trouble with you, Esperanza, is that
 Oh. Sure. Good bye. you are--
   
SCENE 10: Esperanza:
   Why do you get angry? I do not understand
AT THE TERRACE. you at all! I think I know why you
 ESPERANZA PACES AROUND WHILE have been indifferent to me lately. I am not 
ALFREDO SITS, DEEP IN THOUGHT. blind, or deaf; I see and hear what perhaps
  some are trying to keep from me (voice
Esperanza: shaking, like about to cry). Why don't you
 ...why would Calixta do such a thing? (turns speak out frankly before it is too late? You
to Alfredo) Well, what of it? need not think of me and of what people will
  say.
Alfredo:  
 You are very positive about her badness.  A short pause
   
Esperanza: Alfredo:
 But do you approve?  Yes, one tries to be fair--according to his
  lights--but it is hard. One would like to be
Alfredo: fair tone’s self-first. But that is too easy, one
 Of what? does not dare--
   
Esperanza: Esperanza:
 What she did.  What do you mean? Whatever my short
  comings, and no doubt they are many in
Alfredo: your eyes, I have never gone out of my way,
 No. of my place, to find a man.
   
Esperanza: Alfredo:
 Well?  Esperanza--If you--suppose I--
   
Alfredo: Esperanza:
 All I say is that it is not necessarily wicked.  If you mean you want to take back your word, if
  you are tired of--why don't you tell me you
Esperanza: are tired of me?
 Why shouldn't it be? You talked like an--  
immoral man. I did not know that your ideas  Esperanza leaves the room crying.
were like that.  
  SCENE 11:
Alfredo:  
 My ideas? The only test I wish to apply to AT DON JULIAN'S LIVING ROOM
conduct is the test of fairness. Am I injuring , DON JULIAN AND ALFREDO
anybody? No? Then I am justified in my ARE TALKING.
conscience. I am right. Living with a man to  
Don Julian:  
 Tell me what the problem is. Julia:
   ALFREDO!!!
Alfredo:  
 Papa, it is so hard to explain. Alfredo:
   (turns to Julia) Julia! Is that you?
Don Julian:
 Does this have something to do with –  Julia:
 Oh! you're in town?
Alfredo:  
 Papa, please. Do not overtake me...... Alfredo:
   For some little business.
 A short pause
  Julia:
Alfredo:  Oh. would you like to come in?
 Papa.....I think I am falling out of love with  
Esperanza. Alfredo:
   No, thank you. Maybe some other time. I'll
Don Julian: ( be here for about a week.
stands up) Falling out of love?! Near the  
date of your wedding?! Why? with whom?! Julia:
   I wish you could visit here sometime.
Alfredo:  
 With...with Julia, Papa. Alfredo:
   I will. see you soon!
After Alfredo’s  
confession Don Julian paces through the li  Alfredo turns to leave.
v ng room, trying to maintain his  
composure. SCENE 13:
 
Don Julian: AT DON JULIAN'S LIVING ROOM
 this is unacceptable, Alfredo. The Judge  DON JULIAN AND ALFREDO ARE
and his entire family is leaving. TALKING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED
You will marry Esperanza! EARLIER .
   
Alfredo: Alfredo:
 (buries his head in his hands) I know my  I saw Julia. In Calle Luz.
duty to her, Papa.  
  Don Julian:
Don Julian:  Oh?
 And you better do it. For the sake of the  
reputation of our family! (leaves Alfredo) Alfredo:
   Yes. Remember she told me that's where
SCENE 12: they live now?
 
TIME HAD PASSED BY. ALFREDO AND Don Julian:
ESPERANZA GOT MARRIED. ALFREDO  Ah, yes. How is she?
IS IN CALLE LUZ FOR A BUSINESS TRIP.  
HE WALKS AROUND TO FIND THE Alfredo:
HOUSE WHERE, LITTLE DID HE KNOW,  doing good, I suppose.
JULIA SALAS LIVES NOW.  
Don Julian:
 You did not visit her?  
 
 
Alfredo:
 (shakes his head) No, I did not.
 
Don Julian:
 Oh.
 
 A short pause
 
Don Julian:
 Your feelings for her –

Alfredo:
 - are gone. Papa, it has been a longtime.
So all these years I had been seeing the
light of dead stars, long extinguished, yet
seemingly still in their appointed places in
the heavens.
 
Don Julian:
 You do not feel anything for her now?
 
Alfredo:
 Yes, it seems that is the truth. Maybe I was
just blinded by the passion and the surge of
guilt I felt.
 
Don Julian:
 Maybe it had been like that all along, son. A
phantom feeling. Of a love that never was.
 
Alfredo:
 Maybe that is the truth. Yet somehow, I feel
grateful for the chance to be enlightened to
this feeling. It answered a lot of questions
inside me.
 
Don Julian
: It did?
 
Alfredo:
 Yes, it did. Questions that I did not think
have answers before,
 
THE END.