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THE CREATION OF THE WORLD

AlD OTHER BUSINESS


The Creation of the World
and Other Business
A Play
ARTHUR MILLER
The Viking Press/ New York
Copyrght 1972, 1973 by Arthur Miller and lngeborg M. Miller,
Trustee
All rights reserved
First published in 1973 by The Viking Press, Inc.
625 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10022
Published simultaneously in Canada by
Te Macmillan Company of Canada Limited
Prnted i U.S.A.
This play in its printed form is designed for tle reading
public only. All dramatic rights in it are fully protected by
copyright and public or private performance
professional or amateur-may be given without the writte11
permissio11 of the author and the payment of royalty. As
the courts have also ruled that the public reading of a play
constitutes a public performance, no such reading may be
given except under the
conditions stated above. Anyone
disregarding the author's rights renders himself liable to
prosecution. Communications should be addressed to the
author's represntative Jmernational Famous Agency,
1301 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10019.
For lnge
THE CREATION OF THE WORLD
AND OTHER BUSINESS
CHARACTERS
GOD
ADAM
EVE
LUCIFER
AGELS;
RAPHAEL
ARAEL
CHEMUEL
CA
AEL
Act I
Music.
A night sky full of stars. Da spreads its pristine light, form
ing shadows in the contrating sunlight. It is Paradise, the
ultimate Garden-which is to say that it is all an impression
of color rather than terrestrial details of plants and vines.
Only one such feature stands apart; from the left, reaching
out like an inverted, fnger-spread hand, is a tree branch with
golden leaves, from which hangs-an apple.
God appears on his throne above the acting level. He is
deep in thought a he tries to visualize the inevitable future.
Now, as light spreads, the caw of a crow sounds, the
dawn-welcoming
c
hatter of monkeys, the hee-hawing ass,
the lion's echoing roar, seals barking, pigs grunting, the
loon's sudden laughter-all at once in free cacophony.
And as they subside and day is full
,
one of the shadows
moves-a man, Adam, who reaches up above his head and
plucks a fg and, propped up against a rock, crosses his legs
and idly chews. He is in ever way a man and naked, but
his skin is imprinted with striped and speckled shadows,
an animated congealment of light and color and darkness.
God emerges behind and to one side of him. He looks
about, at the weather, up at the sky. Then He turns and
looks down at Adam, who gradually feels His presence,
and with only the slightest start of surprise . . . .
2 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD
ADAM:
* + /
ADAM:
, + /
ADAM: Holds up a hand to feel it.
* + / ) /
ADAM:
* + /
/
He points.
ADAM:
- + /
ADAM: Ah
* + / tring the word:
ADAM: /
* + / looks
ADAM:
* . / cocking His head doubtfully :
ADAM, quickly : /
* + /
64 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD
lion. Oh, God! Stretching on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow
ACT II 65
and blow thy cold death across her lip. Azrae/ bends and
exhales over her face. Eve shudders as with icy cold and
gasps in air, still asleep. That's enough. Chemuel , in thy
compassion, drive anguish to the comer of her mind, and
seal it up. Chemuel kneels, kisses her once. Eve exhales
with relief. God walks a few yards away and sits. Go away,
Death. Azrael stands fat. Go, Azrael. And wait her need.
A
zrael exits unwillingly. Chemuel , in thy mercy, del iver
Eve. Chemuel reaches, lays his hand on her swollen belly,
and with a short pull removes the swelling; clutching it to
his breat, he starts to lean to kiss her again. That's enough.
Chemuel hesitates, glancing up at God. Go, Chemuel, and
wait her need. Chemuel stands and goes out. Now in thy
slumber let us reaon together. Adam and Eve sit up, their
eyes shut in sleep. Behold the stranger thine agony hath
made. A youth of sixteen appears, his eyes shut, his arms
drawn in close to his body, his hands claping his forward
tilted had. He moves waywardly, like a windblown
l
eaf,
and as he at last approaches Eve, he halts some feet away
as God speaks again. Here is the frst life of thy life;
woman. And it is ftting that the frst letter st and before his
name. But seeing that i n thy extremi ty thou hast already
ofered his life to Lucifer; and seeing, Adam, that i n your
ignorance you have lkewise threatened him with murder
He loses his calm-all of which amazes Me and sets My
teeth on edge- He breaks of, gritting His teeth-! am
nevertheless mindful that this child-He turns to the youth
-is innocent. So we shall try agai n. And rather than call
him Abel, who was in j eopardy, he shall be Cain, for his
lfe's sake. He stands. Now Cain is bor!
Cain lies down, coiled beside Eve. She sits up, opens her
eyes, and looks down at Cain.
66 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD
EvE, joyfully surprised:
AAM, walking quickly, seeing Cain : What's that?
EvE : It is . .
Goo: Cai. Thy son.
Both gap
, surprised by His presence.
EvE-she suddenly feels her fat belly and with a cry pros
trates before God: I see I have been favored of Thee,
0 Lord!
Goo, indicating the inert Cain: Here i thine inocence re
tred to thee, which thou so lightly cast away i Eden.
Now protet him from the worm of tie own evil, which
ts day hath ucovered i thee. Look in My face, woma.
EV, covering her eyes: dare not , for I doubted Thy good
ness!
Goo: O wilyou doubt Me any more?
EvE: Never, never, never!
Goo: Then lt up thne eyes.
She slowly dares to face Him on her knees.
EvE: I have gotten a man from the Lord.
Goo: Thou a te mother of mankid.
EvE : And generations unknown to me shall spring from my
loin. He extends His hand. She rests hers on it and rises.
I the river abounding i fsh,
I am the summer sun arousing the bee,
the risig moon i held i her place
ACT II 67
am I
I
n
Gon:
An angelic waltz strikes up. God sweeps Eve in a
glorious
dance all over the stage. Adam, happiness on his face,
makes light and abortive attempts to cut in. God and Eve
exit, dancing, Adam trailing behind and calling.
ADAM: Laughing, bursting with
joy, he waltzes out after them.
Lucifer, alone with Cain coiled up nearby, looks of toward
the party and shakes his head.
LuciFER: He turns front,
staring. Now he looks down at Cain.
He crouches over Cain.
I He
bends and kisses him.
CURTAIN
Act III
The family discovered asleep. A primitive shelter is sug
gested, hanging skins, and a cooking area in one corner.
God is seated on a rock. He is thoughtfully watching them.
He shakes his head, bafed, then raises a hand.
Azrael lights up behind the left screen.
I
Stands,
looking down at the people.
I
Azrael starts to raise his arms.
I
To the people : I
He exits.
Lucifer comes up out of the trap. Looks about, notices a
golden bowl and picks it up.
LuciFER: I
70 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD
j unk.
EvE, awakening:
LUCIFER:
EvE: j
LuciFER:
A
EvE : I I
LuciFER:
She lies bak down.
LUCIFER:
Comes away from her.
i
make
. . . He leaps to Cain when the light
of dawn glows and Azrael appears behind the screen.
Lucifer hides to observe him. Sotto.
Azrael raises his caped arms menacingly.
Azrael blows three loud, short
breaths. The people instantly groan. Azrael vanishes. Lu
cifer comes down to the people. anin
ACT II 71
ADAM-sits up: dream! She turns to him expect
antly.
EvE, against her fear:
ADAM:
LuciFER: e
EvE: A
ADAM:
EvE:
LuciFER: ?-I
h
CAIN, sitting up:
ADAM EVE :
CAIN:
Luci FER:
He continu
ously moves around the peripher and sometimes in among
them, searchingly, awaiting his opening.
ABEL, sittin
g
up:
ADAM:
72 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD
.
EvE :
. . Mystifed:
CAIN, instantly-an exhale of recognition, his
fnger raised:
All turn to him a he points to Abel.
Eve gasps.
EvE : She gets up and goes to Abel and,
holding his hea in her arms, kisses him. Adam moves her
aide, and he kisses him.
LUCIFER:
CAIN, kisses Abel : I
ADAM: Al
CAIN, turning to Adam:
Turning to Abel:
ABEL, to Eve;
EvE :
AAM:
LUCIFER: To Eve ;
EvE :
CAIN: Adam turns t o him, sensing his strange in
tensity.
ACT II
73
% / /
/
# / i
& /
# / struck by this:
% /
impatiently:
/
$ /
it
al.
! % /
Garden!
# /
Garden,
% /
# /
74 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD
ADAM, quickly: No, not "Get out ! "
EvE : I t he's overtied.
CAI N: I am not overired! Wy do you always make every
thing I'm not tag about sheep or farg;
I' m talking about what God want us to do!
you thi He wants me to fa, I'l be glad to
switch.
CAIN, to Adam with a laugh: He's going to fa!
DAM, laughing: God help us!
protesting: Wy!
CAIN: Wit your sene of responsibiity, we'd be eating
thistle soup!
EvE, touching Abel: He's j ust more iagative.
LUCIFER: Wiyou j ust shut up?
CAIN: Imagiative!
ABEL: Have I ever lost a sheep?
CAI N: How could you lose tem? Tey aways end up i
my com.
Ca, that only happened once!
CAIN, with raw indignation : Go out there and sweat the
way I do and tell me it only happened once!
EvE: He' s j ust younger!
CAIN: And I'm older, and I'll be daed i I plant aother
crop until he fences those sheep!
LUCIFER: Stop ths !
ACT II
to Adam:
75
turning away: I
I
i
i
at a loss:
angering, to Adam:
To Cain :
76 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD
ABEL, cring out : Then what a I suppos d to do? Cain is
close, staring into his face, a tortured expression in his eyes
which puzzles Abel. Wh is he looking lie that? Suddenly
Cain embraces Abel, hugging him close.
EvE, puzzled and alarmed:
CAIN-he lets Abel go and moves a few steps, staring: I
don't know what's happng to me.
Abel, shake hi hand. on, up. You're
both sory.
ABEL, holding out his hand:
LuciFER, victoriously to Heaven: Why don't you give up?
Cain ha just raised his hand to approach Abel when a
large snake is dropped in their midst from Heaven. Eve
screams. Lucifer rushes and fings it out of sight.
LUCIFER: Scat ! Get out of here!
EvE : It few i and out !
fying snake?
Instatly the high howling of several coyotes is heard, and
the family turns in all directions, a though toward an in
vading force.
LUCIFER, of to one side, looking up to Heaven:
this is low!
looking about at the air: Something is happening.
To Eve, who is staring about : I think . . . I' d
She covers her eyes in trepidation. we're
supposed to, now.
ACT il 77
EvE, lowering her hands: Al rgt. Ten maybe everhig
wi be as it wa agai.
Boys? Maybe you'd beter sit down, boys.
ABEL : Tell what, Pa?
They all sit except Eve, who remains standing, staring
about apprehensively.
ADAM: About the question of leavig Paradise-! don't
want you to t that we tied to mlead you or anything
le that.
EvE, pleadingly to Cain: It's just everthing was going so
good, you see?
AAM, with a glance around at the air: But it looks like
something i happening, so maybe we better get this settled.
ABEL : What, Pa?
We . . . didn't exactly decide to go,
y'see. We were
ah-he blinks aa a tear-told to leave.
CAN: Told
?
ABEL: Why, Pa?
fumbling: Why? Wel . . . He turns helplessly to
Eve. Why?
EVE : We j ust didn't ft i, you see. I mean i a person
doesn't ft in-
ADAM: I we're going to tell it, we better tell it.
EVE: But the way you're telg it, it sounds lke it was al
my fault!
78 CREATION OF THE WORLD
AAM: d' t ayt hig e !
are
ADAM, setting himself : we I
ne ad
e
AAM:
ABEL, with a big smile:
CAIN: he
much
ch ce He laughs.
EvE :
I
believe
I
mentioned there this
evi.
ADAM:
CAI N: ci
cumstaces.
AAM: seewe
ABEL-thrilled and scared, he laughs:
CAIN:
AAM: e
ABEL, more scared now: t h
AAM:
ACT
79
Cain goes t o a lyre and, turing his back on them, he plays.
They watch him for a moment, aware of his intense feeling.
ABEL, avidly: And then what happened?
Cain strums a loud a he can, then stops.
ADAM, with a worried glance at Cain: Wel, the next thig
looked at her,
y'see. And there was somethig funy.
I didn't know what it was. And then realied. She wa
naked.
Cain now turns to them.
CAIN AND ABEL: Mama?
EvE : Well, he was too.
CAIN-hocked, he drops the lyre: Mama!
LUCIFER, holding his head: Ohhh!
EvE : We didn't know it, dalig!
CAIN: How could you not know you were naked?
EvE: Wel, we were like chidren; lke you, lke Abel. You
remember, when Abel wa a baby and ran around-
CAIN, outraged, accusing: But you weren' t a baby!
EvE, to Adam, at a loss: Aren't you goig to say anytng?
ABEL, explaining for Adam: Well, they were lke amals.
CAIN, pained, horrifed: Don't you say a thing like that!
ADAM, to Cain: Well , told you-1 could smell water?
ABEL : Sure! Ad they could hear the trout talkng.
CAIN: But you never sad you were actually . . . animals.
80 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD
AAM: Ca.
CAIN:
ADAM, angrily, stading: I
EvE, going to him:
CAIN, furiously:
EvE :
Slight pause.
CAI, swept by this truth:
CAI N:
EVE :
CAIN:
furiously to Adam:
CAI N:
ADAM: . .
CAIN, accusingly: knew
ACT Il 8 1
ADAM: Slight pause.
CAIN: We're
ABEL:
ADAM:
CAIN:
EvE: I'm
CAN:
ADAM: I
CAIN:
EvE:
CAIN, sinking to his knees: I
EvE: Do
CAIN:
I he looks
upward tenderly-i ad
ad
82 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD
ADAM, to Eve :
EvE, recalling:
Going to her knees :
Cain, faces Heaven. Adam goes to his knees. And fnally
Abel.
CAIN:
Adam and Eve shut their eyes and concentrate. Abel
watches them, then leans over to Eve.
with a glance at the praying Cain :
CAIN, eyes shut :
i
ADAM: I
Pause. All heads are lowered. Lucifer stands up. He comes
down to them and sits next to Abel.
softly:
EvE :
ABEL :
A slight pause. They contemplate, but Abel is glancing ap
prehensively toward Lucifer.
ACT il 83
A
BEL: Who art thou?
The family turs quickly to him, astonished, Lucifer being
invisible to all but Abel.
LuciFER: I am what you fear in your hea is tre-your
brother is dangerous. Tell hi you'll build te fence. Abel
reacts in refusal. Th man is iconsolable!
ABEL: Why?
LuciFER: She love you best, Abel.
ABEL: But is loved!
EvE : How seet ! To Adam: Did you hea?
LUCIFER: has her respect, but her love has gone to
you. Tel hi you'll build it if you cae to lve! This man
i murderous ! Now Abel turns with new eyes to Cain.
ABEL: About the fence-
Yes?
ABEL : You're rght. It's not the com that eat the sheep but
te sheep that eat the com-
LuciFER: Attaboy!
EvE, to Adam, happily: Listen!
ABEL: So I wibuid the fence aound te sheep.
EvE, to Adam: Do you hea!
AAM: Marelous.
Where would you build it?
ABEL: Wel-aywhere out of the way. I the valley?
84
THE CREATION OF THE
CAIN:
CAI N:
CAI N:
CAIN:
LUCI FER:
swallowing his resentment :
LUCI FER:
EvE, afected by Abel's anguish:
h
LuciFER:
EvE, to Cain, insistently: h
LUCI FER:
I
LUCI FER: like
like
agreed To Cain :
ACT il
85
Cain slams his hands down on the ground and springs up
furiously, goes t o a big rock and picks i t up.
LuciFER, to Abel : Watch out! Don' t turn your back on
him! Abel quickly turns to watch his brother.
EvE: What are you doing?
Cain places the boulder on top of another.
CAIN: Wat has never been done. It has come to me to
make an oferig to the Lord.
LuciFER, shaking a fst at Heaven : Don't you ever give up?
EvE, vatly relieved: Tat's a wonderful idea!
ADAM: Say, now! That sounds very good, Cai.
EvE : You thi He'll come?
AAM: He might. Te way Cain loves He might j ust
stop by. To Cain, with his expertise : Take the best of thy
com and the frst of thy wheat, and lttle pasley-He a
ways rater lked pasley.
Cain fnds a fat stone and sets it on top of the altar he is
constructing. Eve immediately takes a broom and starts
sweeping the area.
EvE : What about some gapes?
ADAM, calling to Cain: Grapes too!
CAIN: The gapes aren't too good ths year
EvE : You'd better not, then.
ADAM, all excited: Don't lsten to her; it doesn' t matter
i they're not too good, it's the feelng behind it. Because
ACT l 97
CAIN-a cry, a though from his bowel, to the sky:
LuciFER: He grasps Cain's
astounded face. Ma' s
I
CAIN:
fute!
LuCIFER: is
ABE ' s VOICE, closer now, calling:
LuCI FER, grabbing for him:
CAIN: I He breaks from Lucifer,
facing in the direction of Abel's voice.
LuciFER:
ABEL, closer yet :
LuciFER:
Abel enters.
Cain stares front.
98 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD
LuciFER, facing front : I swear this, Cain-if man will not
kill man, God i s unnecessary! Wal away and you' re free!
Cain starts to walk away.
ABEL : Brother! God wats you there!
CAI N, halting: Wants me?
LUCIFER: Swallow it ad walk!
ABEL : Of course-he loves you, Cain. He was just saying
how you do everthing He wats.
CAI N: Then, by God, I order you out of here and your
mother and father, ad never come back!
ABEL : Brother! -I've as much right here a you. He moves
toward Cain.
CAI N: Ae you even so sure of his blessing that you come to
me?
ABEL: You' ll not hurt me, Cain.
CAIN: Why? Am I thy servant? He seeps up his fail. Am
thy fool? Run from me!
ABEL: Astonished at the fail, he starts to back away.
Brother! God loves us both!
CAIN: You are dead to me, Abel-run!
ABEL, halts: I will not ! Come to the Lord!
CAI N, moving toward him, raising the fail : Run for your
li fe!
ABEL: Brother, let God calm you!
ACT IU 99
CAI N, whirling about, fail raised, he calls to the air :
rushing to him: Him!
CAIN-he turns on Abel, calling to God: us ! He
strikes at Abel who dodges and runs.
screaming:
CAIN-pursuing him, he strikes Abel down : He
strikes him again on the ground.
Ca!
Goo, calling from of: C at
Cain fings the fail away like an alien thing that somehow
got into his hand. God enters rapidly, behind Him Eve and
Adam.
Goo:
Cain is silent.
EvE : i Abel?
Goo:
CAI N, with a new, dead indiference: I I
Goo: crieth unto me from
the ground.
EvE-eeing the corpse, like a sigh at frst : Ahhh.
wide-eyed: The sigh repeatedly emanating
1 02 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD
locked Slight
pause.
And lf
and arms?
To Cain :
to Eve:
She stands rigid, wide-eyed.
turning to God:
never
angr.
She turns awa, rejecting.
Beginning to anger. Then
can' t just live!
furiously: Ad
multitudes
ACT 1 03
ADAM: You, Lord, you!
Goo: Why? Your inocent son is dead; why!
ADAM: Because . . . how do I kow?-maybe for some
one, somewhere, even th . . . is good? Right?
Goo, outraged: You are all worthless ! The mother blames
God, the father blaes no one, and the son kows no blame
at all . To Lucifer : Angel, you have won the world-and I
hereby give it over to your ministry.
ADAM: Him!
Goo: This is the chaos you want, and him you shall have
the God who judges nothing
,
the God of ite permi
sion. I shal contiue to do the hurricanes, the gorilla, and
all that, but I see now that your hears' desie is anarchy
and I wah my hands. I do not want to be God . . . any
more! He starts away.
LuciFER, dashing after Him: Lord! You don't mean-not
me all by myself!
Goo: Tat's what you've been after, isn't it?
LuciFER: No, no with You! It's out of the question for
me to rn the world aone.
Goo: But what do you need Me for?
LUCI FER: But I can' t-I can't make anything!
Goo: Real ly! But you're such a superb critic.
LUCI FER: But they're two entiely diferent thigs !
Goo: Perhaps once you're i chage you'll become more
creative. He starts away again; Eve rushes to Him.
104
THE CREATION OF THE WORLD
EvE : Wait, Lord, pleae!
Goo: Oh, woman, for thy torment especially I am most
deeply sory. Good-bye, dea Eve. He starts away.
EvE : But what do we do about Cai?
Now He halts, turs, alert.
LUCI FER, to God: Very wel, I take the world! To Eve:
Tel hi to go!
EvE, to Lucifer: But what about Cai?
LUCIFER: There'l be no more talk about Cai. The boy
simply got caught a rotten situation, ad no emotions are
caled for.
Goo: She seems to have a question-
LUCI FER : She is free! She ha no furher questions ! To
Eve: Tel hi to go back to his hurricaes.
EvE, to Lucifer: But he murdered my son.
Goo: But what the question?
EvE: SON!
Goo: Ad what is the question, woman!
Luci FER: You've got your freedom! Stop here!
EvE, to Lucifer: But how-turning to Cain's adamant
face: How do I hand hi breakfat tomorow? How
do I cal to diner? "Come, maniler, I have meat for
thee"?
CAI N, holding his ground, his profle to her eyes: It wa not
my fault!
I 1 05
EvE, cring out to God:
Goo:
j
EVE :
a
EvE : . . To Cain :
anything?
EvE, with high anxiety: a ne
EVE :
. . . She breaks of, backing a step
from Lucifer, and turns to God:
Goo, quickly:
EvE : . In fear:
EvE :
1 06 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD
ADAM AN EvE, rushing to God: Father, save us!
my chidren, I tought you' d never understand!
LUCI FER, with a furious, bitter irony, as God approahes
the beseeching people: And here He comes agai n-Father
Gui lt is back! Rushing to Cain : Cain, help me! You' re the
one free, guiltless man. Tell God you have no need for
Him! Speak out your freedom and save the world!
CAIN-he ha been staring in silence; now he turns his
dead ees to Lucifer : Angel, none of ths seem to matter,
you kow? One way or te other. Wy don' t you let it a
go?
With a near-so
b Lucifer claps his hands over his ears, then,
straightening, he comes to a salute before God.
LuciFER: You have my salute! You have gorgeously pre
arranged ths entire dialogue, and it all comes out the way
You want-but You have solved absolutely nothng!
Goo: lifting His eyes from the kneeling Adam and Eve:
Except, angel, that you wi never be God. And not because
I forbid, but because tey wil never-at leat not for very
long-beleve it. For I made them not of dust alone
,
but
dust and love; and by dust alone they will not, cannot long
be govered. Lucifer bursts into sobbing tears. Wy do
you weep, angel? Tey love, and with love, b
rothers.
Take heart, I see now that our war goes on.
AAM ND EvE: No, Lord!
Lucifer looks at God now, clear-eyed, expectant.
Goo: It does go on. For love, see, i not enough; though
te Devi hself cr peace, you' ll fd your war. Now I
107
Ma,
I
Goo, after a slight pause: I
coming alive:
I
Goo:
I
Goo, holdin
g two index fngers pointed toward Cain's face:
Terrifed, Cain comes up to His fn
gers, and He comes aound behind Cain, who is facing
front, and presses his cheeks, forming a smile which Cain
cannot relax. God lowers His fngers.
smiling:
Goo:
Goo:
i
1 08 CREATION OF WORLD
Smiling, his eyes desperate, Cain turns to Eve. She cries
out and hides her face in her hands. He tears at his cheeks,
but his smile remains. He lowers his hands-a smiling
man with atonished, terrifying eyes.
Goo:
i
Lucifer, who ha been staring of, swerves about. The peo
ple come alert, startled. God turns and walks upstage.
rushing a half-step behind God:
I . . . God cont inues, moving into
light. Adam halts, calling. never?
EvE : She starts to
run up toward Him, but He disappears among the stars.
Adam, above her now, turns down to Lucifer.
ADAM: He comes down to Lucifer, his fnger rising
toward the angel.
Lucifer turns from the vanished God to Adam, his face
twisted with puzzlement.
ADAM with a heart broken, lost cr: i
LUCI FER:
He walks away, glancing back to Eve.
EvE :
LUCI FER, pointing insinuatingly at her :
I
ACT I
1 09
Lucifer walks into darkness. Adam and Eve turn t o Cain.
i
Indicating Abel.
h.
She turs away.
ADAM:
turing to the corpse: I To Cain:
not
Indicating Abel. I
happened I
Cain turns away from both.
Cain starts away.
Cain, adamant, the smile fxed
on his face, walks out. I
With his arm around her he has drawn her to the periphery,
where she stands, her mouth open, struggling to speak. But
1 10
THE CREATION OF THE WORLD
she canot, and she breaks into weeping. As though in her
name, Adam calls toward the departed Cain: Merc
y
!
The roars, songs, ad cries of the animals fll the air. Adam
looks up and about, and to the world, a clear-eyed prayer:
Merc
y
!
CURTAIN

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