Prelude
A room in an older house. The house sits on top of a hill with a graveyard at the foot of the property.
The room itself has two large windows without curtains. There is a bookshelf filled with books. On one wall is a working fireplace, tables with various trinkets on it, and a framed landscape painting. Against another wall is a sofa with a cushion. There is also a rocking chair. In the middle of the room is a table with chairs around it. On the table are three lit candles, three sewing boxes, and three writing desks.
The room appears to be in order but should feel lived in. The space functions as a dining room, living room, and drawing room within the house.
The sound of a clock tolls throughout the house.
Movement 1
Evening.
Charlotte, twenty-nine, sits at the table. She sews, holding her work close to her face. Emily, twenty-seven, sits on the sofa, staring into the night. Anne, twenty-five, sits in the rocking chair, sewing quickly. All three women are dressed for bed.
Emily puts her sewing down, grabs a candle, then leaves the room without acknowledging the other two.
Anne puts her needle into her sewing box. She gathers Emily’s sewing and tries to collect Charlotte’s sewing, but Charlotte resists.
Charlotte: I can put it away myself.
Anne: We’ve been keeping the sewing upstairs.
Charlotte: Why not keep it in the basket?
Anne: I’ve been working on some larger pieces. She doesn’t like it when I leave it on the floor.
Charlotte: That’s why we keep it in the —
Charlotte looks around the room.
Where is the basket?
Anne: Upstairs. It’s been easier to just —
Charlotte: Fine. Fine. Do what you like.
Charlotte hands Anne her sewing. Anne heads for the door. As she does, she stubs her toe.
Anne: Owww.
Charlotte: Anne.
Anne: Owww, owww, owww, owww. Owww.
Charlotte: Anne. Shhh.
Anne: I’m trying, but . . . Owww. My toe.
Anne leaves, limping.
Emily enters carrying a tray with a teapot and three teacups. She places the tray on the table and pours tea into the cups. Emily hands Charlotte a cup. Charlotte sips, then makes a face.
Charlotte: It’s weak.
Emily: We don’t have very much left. Do you want me to steep it longer?
Anne enters.
Charlotte: No. No. It’s fine.
Anne: Is there enough for me?
Emily: Yes. But there’s only enough left for one more —
Anne: Make sure you pour me a full cup.
Emily: Why wouldn’t I pour you a full —
Anne: Sometimes you give me less than —
Emily: When?
Anne: Sometimes you —
Emily: No. I never —
Charlotte: Can we begin?
They look at each other, then sit at the table.
Well?
Emily and Anne exchange a look.
Anne: You go.
Emily: No. You.
Anne: You.
Emily: You.
Anne: Emily!
Emily: Anne!
Charlotte: Will one of you please just —
Emily: All right!
Beat.
Tabby won’t be returning.
Charlotte: She won’t be returning at all or she won’t ...