THE PEN

BY
MONDE MAYEPHU
Copyright November 2013 Monde Mayephu
and Off The Wall Plays

http://offthewallplays.com
 CHARACTERS:
1. Sipho: A young male, who is a
struggling playwright.

2. Pinky: A young female, who is a

struggling actress and staying with
Sipho
3. Thandi: A young female who is
Sipho’s dream girl.

THE PLAY:
The Pen takes audiences on a trip into
the mind of young playwright, Sipho, in
the throes of writing a new play. Beset
by writers block, the playwright is
drawn into a relationship with Thandi,
his Muse. Lured into a seductive
journey, the boundaries between fantasy
and reality become blurred as he begins
to live in an increasingly illusionary
world dominated by his sexy, assertive
writing Goddess. His girlfriend Pinky,
innocently drawn into his tender
reverie, suffers as she begins to
understand the depths of his passion
for Thandi.

Pinky’s attempts to resuscitate their

romance are frustrated by the fact
that, unbeknownst to her, her rival in

2
love is an ethereal siren, the perfect
woman, the stuff of every man’s dream.
Or is she?

The tale of these two star-crossed

lovers, told with great verve and wit
by author Monde Mayephu, becomes highly
memorable and entertaining a comedy of
errors.

THE SETTING:
The action takes place in a room full
of books. Upstage centre there is a
door leading to the bedroom and one
door downstage left to enter the room.

TIME:
Present.

3
 PROLOGUE
There is a pack of cigarettes and one cigarette
burning inside an ashtray, a script, a pen, a glass
and a half bottle of whiskey, all these are on top
of the table.

A spotlight on Sipho climbing on top of the table

with a rope in his hand just as he is about to hang
the rope on the roof there is music that segues
into sound of footsteps… and the footsteps stop.

The footsteps continue and become louder on the

soundtrack and stop and the lights fade to black
out– gunshots and lights up.

Then we see Thandi running around the stage, Sipho

joins her - they run around the stage as if someone
is pursuing them, then they suddenly stop.

THANDI: (Panicking) He is shooting at us!

SIPHO: Run Thandi run – run baby.

THANDI: No I won’t leave you (protects him from the gunfire

– she knows who it is - Themba) HELP!! Help!

SIPHO: No one will help us!

THANDI: Help! Somebody wants to kill us! Oh no Themba! (But

Sipho does not hear her when she mentions Themba.)

SIPHO: Sshh! I think he is gone (They listen … quietly)

THANDI: Do you think so?

SIPHO: JA he’s gone? (Looks around)

THANDI: Did you see him?

4
SIPHO: Uggh - uggh! Are you alright?

THANDI: I’m fine…. I’m fine - and you?

SIPHO: I’m okay!

THANDI: He was dressed in black!

SIPHO: Oh?

THANDI: Do you think he was a tsotsi?

SIPHO: No.

THANDI: It must have been a tsotsi!

SIPHO: It's madness - one minute you are kissing – and

suddenly psow! Pwoosh! Baf! Kepow!!

THANDI: I’m sure he was a tsotsi.

SIPHO: I don't think so – a tsotsi would have said

something or wanted to take you – grab you….. No I think
it someone we know….

THANDI: Who?

SIPHO: I don’t know…but he was afraid we were going to

recognize him, his voice – hence the clothes and the
silence! Come on Thandi – forget him.

He kisses her and Thandi exits. Sipho goes to the table,

pours a drink and lights a cigarette, then pages through
the last page of the script and reads.

SIPHO: She knocks gently. He gets up from the lazy – boy.

She knocks again. He stands behind the door breathing
heavily – contemplating his next move. No. (Takes his pen
and crosses out on script) He stands…full stop. (Continue
reading) She knocks slowly, losing patience. He stands
still, sweating, with a lit cigarette in his hand. She
looks at the door and one…two…three…she walks away…he just
stands there listening to her footsteps… (He crumbles the
paper – and throws the rolled up ball down) Fuck!!!

(Black Out)

5
 SCENE ONE
We see Sipho and Pinky inside their flat Sipho is as usual
with pen and paper and Pinky is reading a magazine and she
is reading out loud and this annoys Sipho.

SIPHO: For heavens sake Pinky, some of us are trying to

concentrate here!

PINKY: Sorry, honey I can’t help myself.

SIPHO: And why are you so much obsessed about reading

magazines about famous people – are you famous?

PINKY: I am waiting for my turn.

SIPHO: So long as you do mediocre shows you will wait a

little longer.

PINKY: But something tells me my time will come and it must

find me ready.

SIPHO: Ready for what – will you ever be ready?

PINKY: I will, you’ll see. I will be ready for Paradise

City.

SIPHO: Paradise what - Where is that – does the place

exist? Be real now Pinky.

PINKY: You are a playwright. You always create reality out

of the imaginary.

SIPHO: (Impressed) Yeh you are right – Tell me about this

Paradise City.

PINKY: It doesn’t exist, that’s what you said.

SIPHO: Be sensible now Pinky, you know I would love to hear

about Paradise City.

PINKY: Why?

6
SIPHO: I am a playwright - I create reality out of the
imaginary. Tell me about this Paradise City… please.

PINKY: That’s where the real action is.

SIPHO: Did you say action? I love action - show don’t tell.

PINKY: There’s more money to be picked up in Paradise City

than any other city in the world.

SIPHO: Uggh Pinky. Even if this Paradise city is imaginary

you’ve got to make it real… make me believe – like… what’s
so good about it?

PINKY: Paradise city is known as the millionaires’

playground.

SIPHO: You sound like you believe the City exists.

PINKY: It does exist.

SIPHO: I like that, first believe, and we all follow suite.

PINKY: I believe that’s where you are taking me with your

next script.

SIPHO: (Excitedly) Do you think so baby?

PINKY: I know so.

SIPHO: Tell me more.

PINKY: It is super deluxe where anyone with what it takes,

can pick up a load of the green stuff.

SIPHO: Green stuff – what green stuff?

PINKY: Money baby.

SIPHO: Of course it is green.

PINKY: Now a stag like you could have a real ball there.
That’s a place where fifteen percent of the City’s
population represented is the rich.

SIPHO: And us - are we part of this fifteen percent?

7
PINKY: No ways, there is still the fifty percent
representing the various well paid serfs who keep the
stinking rich in luxury.

SIPHO: Yeh!

PINKY: Thirty percent are the workers who keep the city
ticking over, and five percent are the boys and girls who
latch on the stinking rich and, if they were smart enough,
picked up enough folding money to keep them happy until the
following season when they descend once again on the City.

SIPHO: If we are not the fifteen percent, are we the fifty

percent? (Pinky shakes her head) Are we the thirty percent
then?

PINKY: No we are not.

SIPHO: So we are the five percent?

PINKY: Baby we are the stinking rich, of course - because

of your writing skills and my acting ability.

SIPHO: I love this City and everything that comes with it.
Come here, baby take me there right away!

She jumps into his arms and they start to kiss, and the
action leads to their act of making love, but things turn
nasty when Sipho calls Pinky not with her name.

Oh Thandi now a stag like me could have a real ball there –

in Paradise city.

PINKY: Why do you always call out her name when you are
about to make love to me?

SIPHO: What? What are you talking about Pinky?

PINKY: Did you call me by my own name? Was that my name I

heard?

SIPHO: You heard me! What’s wrong with you, one moment we
are about to make love the next thing this?

PINKY: You know what Sipho, you are not being honest and
you know it!

8
SIPHO: Us?

PINKY: When was it the last time you took me out? When was
it the last time you told me you love me? When was it the
last time you bought me something? Hey? What does that say
- Nothing?

SIPHO: I can’t.

PINKY: You can’t! You know what! I can’t. She is destroying

you like can deadly disease no one can cure – except
yourself. You can’t. You can’t even finish the script you
are writing. What happened to the playwright I used to
admire so much? You will never be as brilliant until you
let go!

SIPHO: I just need to get the facts right.

PINKY: (Goes to the bedroom and comes back with a photo)

Maybe this will help you. Use this to get your facts right.

SIPHO: Where did you get this?

PINKY: In your underwear drawer.

SIPHO: You are invading my private life.

PINKY: You have no private life. It’s you and me. No one
else! (On her way out)

SIPHO: Woman! Where are you going?

PINKY: To a photo shoot. Remember I got a part in a

political play! (She exits)

SCENE TWO
We see Sipho looking at the photo of Thandi and also
looking at the script. Suddenly there is music that segues
into sound of footsteps … and the footsteps stop. The
footsteps continue and become louder on the soundtrack and
stop.

SIPHO: My myth is real and sacred… it has become a

prototype and consequently repeatable… for it serves as
model … and also a justification for all human actions. My

9
myth … is a true story which took consigns at the beginning
of time and it is a model for my actions. (Lights a
cigarette) Pinky is right I can’t handle it. (Pours a
drink) That day I first met you Thandi– it was – it was…s…
sublime … Only this paper and pen knows. This paper and pen
they know the pain I’m going through.

(Sits and starts to read through the script)

Enter Thandi … No wait … if I had to direct this scene she

could be wearing her favorite grayish wrap around skirt.
Thandi enters wearing a grayish wrap around skirt (Thandi
enters) … with a tennis ball, with a big smile (She smiles
broadly)

THANDI: (Stern) Okay what is it?

SIPHO: You came.

THANDI: Of course.

SIPHO: You look … you look … enchanting.

THANDI: (Laughs) - Well what is it?

SIPHO: (Sipho joins Thandi in the action) There is this

girl I’m interested in – my problem is … I don’t know what
to say to her.

THANDI: You can’t be serious?

SIPHO: I don’t know what to say to her, to prove my love

for her.

THANDI: Just say it.

SIPHO: What?

THANDI: Who is she?

SIPHO: I was hoping you will ask.

THANDI: Her name?

SIPHO: Her name is Thandi.

THANDI: This must be a joke.

10
SIPHO: I’m afraid it’s not.

THANDI: (She realizes that he is talking about her.) Why

me, not the other girls?

SIPHO: You are not any kind of girl.

THANDI: I hear what you are saying, but I hope you are not
expecting me to answer you right away.

SIPHO: Just tell me when and …

THANDI: You will wait?

SIPHO: Yes I’ll wait.

THANDI: You will know by tomorrow.

SIPHO: And if tomorrow …

THANDI: … And if tomorrow never comes? (He nods) I know

that song. From the movie Notting hill.

SIPHO: Do you like it?

THANDI: It’s one of my favourites.

SIPHO: Me too. (Thandi exits, pour another drink and lights

a cigarette, we see a sign of relief.) … And of course the
first time I met Pinky too … too different. (To the
audience) How can I feel so differently for two people who
I love?

Sipho with a cigarette in hand and being too sure of

himself enter Pinky with snickers in her hands.

PINKY: (All bubbly) Hi, Did you like the show?

SIPHO: Well it was not bad – you were…

PINKY: (Feeling dejected) - You didn’t like it.

SIPHO: (Giving a lecture and not giving Pinky a chance to

express herself) I did not understand the whole point of
doing the play. The hypothesis is bad … no emotional

11
journey of the main character … in fact it is not clear
whose story is the writer trying to tell … I just didn’t
know why he is telling the story … no man … there is no
story … if there was … there is nothing special – it’s time
people started writing about issues affecting us
psychologically not just generally. Plays should not have
baggage! You know when some of us are trying to bring
people to the theatre there are those who are desperately
chasing them away with their mediocre shows, come on now …
it’s time these theatre managers think about the craft …
not bums on seats. Serious good work is not being produced
only this verbiage shit that is disgracing us! And actors
like you perform in these plays … it a sin to be desperate!

He lights another cigarette, Pinky feeling dejected and

Sipho realizes this.

Why is such a nice girl like you alone? Don’t you have a
boyfriend?

PINKY: He is with the lucky girl, she is the lucky one.

(All bubbly) But I am free! And there is this show I want
you to see.

SIPHO: Another show?

PINKY: When are you free - will you come with me?

SIPHO: Who is the guy who didn’t realize he was lucky

having you?

PINKY: We just broke up. (Changing the subject) You know

what - let’s have some drinks…

SIPHO: …And talk about it.

PINKY: Yeh! Paradise City! (Pinky exits)

SIPHO: (To himself) Yah - Paradise city, known as the

billionaire’s playground, where the extra noughts make a
difference.

(Sipho crumble another sheet of paper and throws it down.

Enter Pinky carrying a sports bag, in gym clothes)

PINKY: (Up and bubbly – energized) Hi!

12
SIPHO: Hi.

PINKY: It was so full at the gym… it took one ages to have

a shower!

SIPHO: Hey you smell nice!

PINKY: Yes! It’s a new perfume “The Red Door”! Do you like
it!

SIPHO: With a name like The Red Door it has to be good! I

should sue them for copyright!

PINKY: (Waves her hand for the smell) Sipho, you just
drink, drink, drink all day. Haven’t you slept yet?

SIPHO: No. Pinky, can you lend me fifty bucks. (She looks
at him) I haven’t had time to go to the ATM. (She looks
away) don’t worry I’ll reimburse you.

PINKY: Don’t use big words – just pay me back. You’ve got
babalaas! What more do you want?

SIPHO: It’s the damn script!

PINKY: I thought you were nearly finished.

SIPHO: No. (Pause) I’m finished! (Looks at the crumbled

paper)

PINKY: (Laughs) -Any playwright who writes and drinks as

much as you should produce a brilliant script! I bet is
brilliant, is it brilliant?

(Pinky exits to put her gym back in the bedroom, talking

from the bedroom)

Hey! Maybe I could get a part in your play! I’m tired of

performing in political plays. They are just words, and
ideas… (Comes back all changed) …there’s no passion…no
emotions…no drama.

SIPHO: There are good political plays. It depends on their

structure and that they get the message across without
preaching.

13
PINKY: Believe me my dear. I have performed in them. Always
the same…plays about politicians making false promises.
There is always a hero – people worship him – they forget
he is human – flesh and blood – a character.

SIPHO: (Impressed) Mmmm.

PINKY: You know what I like about your writing; there are
no heroes and villains…only human beings. You write
differently.

SIPHO: Differently?

PINKY: (Pinky gestures okay) Where does that desire come

from?

SIPHO: I don’t know…but it is a desire for clarity…for

precision…for detail – not just adlibbing around some idea
approximating the text. Having been an actor…well once…I
feel the text can improve actors.

PINKY: How?

SIPHO: To get them to dig for the riches in the words…the

sounds…the meanings…the metaphors…to challenge the actor.

PINKY: Ever since I started acting I’ve performed in

workshop plays. I’d love to work with text – that is
already there – not some old classic – something from now.
From our experience now! I have done so many of these
plays. I should be ready! Am I ready?

SIPHO: Ready? (Takes out a cigarette – starts looking for a

lighter) -Ready for what?

PINKY: For your play. I can just feel it…being part of a

play you have penned…can be my break! Two directors said my
skills and talent have been misdirected for too long.
(Sipho still looking for a light) Yes! If our play is a
success – we could go to Grahamstown…Edinburgh. Tour the
UK…the States…Germany…Sweden… (Sipho looks at her) The
Swedes love us! We’ll have money, we’ll move from Yeoville,
we’ll buy a nice car, our kids could go…

SIPHO: Kids…what kids?

14
PINKY: Yes of course we’ll have kids… (Lights his
cigarette) after we get married.

SIPHO: “Marriage! One man’s slave all you life, slog away
until your grave - For what - Happiness in Heaven? I’ve
seen them…with more kids than they can count…and no money”

PINKY: What?

SIPHO: Athol Fugard, Hello and Goodbye. (Mind not

convinced) Of course we’ll get married.

PINKY: And of course I am going to be in your play! Isn’t

that nice honey?

SIPHO: JA it’s nice – but the character’s a bit different –

it’s not like you.

PINKY: But that’s the point of acting.

SIPHO: The play needs someone who is…

PINKY: Who is?

SIPHO: (Hits on this idea – thinking she will not like it!)
Who is down to earth!

PINKY: I can be down to earth. Look. (Doing the action) I

can go down - Especially if you are there to help me.

SIPHO: I don’t think I will direct this play. Yes I will

look for someone to direct it. I don’t think writers should
direct their own plays. Plays need…they deserve objectivity.

PINKY: You directed The Red Door.

SIPHO: Case!

PINKY: What?

SIPHO: The Red Door Case.

PINKY: Didn’t you change the title of that play?

SIPHO: Not only the title also the number of characters. It

is now called Master to Jack with three characters, you
know love triangle?

15
PINKY: Isn’t Jack your nickname?

SIPHO: So?

PINKY: I see maturity.

SIPHO: Thank you.

PINKY: What’s different about this one - is it about a love

triangle as well? (Taking the script) Can I read it?

SIPHO: (Taking the script back) we’ve been through this

before. No you can’t read it.

PINKY: I know it is still in its early stages.

SIPHO: Exactly, it is not ready.

PINKY: Do you want to talk about it?

SIPHO: I don’t think you want to know.

PINKY: I get it. You have someone in mind for the part. Not
me.

SIPHO: No, no, no – I don’t have someone in mind. It can’t

be you – but I don’t know who.

PINKY: I have the voice. “There were thousands of us

standing everywhere on the steps in this big space before
the building! Black women in traditional dress…white woman…
and the Indian women in their white saris. You strike a
woman you strike the rock!” I can also sing (sings)
Paradise is almost closing down.

SIPHO: Ahgg Pinky! This is not a musical – it is drama –

pure drama!

PINKY: (After a long pause) -Because I could never be her!

SIPHO: (Being serious) -What did you say?

PINKY: You still love the illusion…she still has you under
her spell!

SIPHO: Don’t start that again!

16
PINKY: You started it!

SIPHO: What?

PINKY: Two weeks ago.

SIPHO: (Desperate) It’s over…it’s over – how many times do

I have to tell you! (Pinky exits, dejected)

SCENE THREE
Lights up –with Sipho holding the new pen/bookmark and
looking at the photo of Thandi

I can’t believe I went this far loving you – I still

remember how it felt when you touched me – your warm lips,
your reassuring smile, and that music when you called my
name. You took me to the edge of heaven where it is
evergreen and lush, I was in paradise, and we shared
eternity.

Nothing would separate us because our love was as strong as

the walls of Jericho, Abraham was never more faithful to
God than we were to each other, Everybody knew you were
mine – cats, dogs, the wind, the grass, rain, sun, the moon
and the stars, the planets, astronauts …. Like the old lady
I caught sight of looking at us – yearning for her youth,
recognizing the love she saw in the air around us, like no
other couple – she nodded and smiled as if she were
thinking – those two are on a journey to paradise and know
where they are going. Our love was so real, it was blessed
(sighs) If William Shakespeare was alive to day – he would
re-write Romeo & Juliet for us - Sipho & Thandi – star
crossed lovers! The greatest love story ever told…

He walks into the room – lights follow him as THANDI

appears with a tennis ball.

(Sipho Quoting Songs of Solomon)

Who is it that appears?

Like the dawn,
Fair as the moon,
Bright as the sun,
Majestic as the stars

17
In procession?

THANDI: Do not stare at me

Because I am dark,
Because I am darkened
By the sun

SIPHO: (breaking the formality of the quoting) I love you

THANDI: I love you too!

SIPHO: You have my heart.

THANDI: I gave you mine.

SIPHO: It’s our anniversary

THANDI: The first. Let’s celebrate it – my love – make this

day special forever! (Underlying that this is the last
anniversary)

SIPHO: You are … you are…..

THANDI: No – sing me the Songs of Solomon again please!

SIPHO: Oh how beautiful you are my darling

Oh how beautiful!
Your eyes are like doves.
Your lips are like a scarlet ribbon
Your mouth is lovely,
Your temples behind your veil
Are like the halves
Of a pomegranate
Your neck is like the tower
Of David
Built with elegance

THANDI: My lover is mine and I am his;

He browses among his lilies.
Until the day breaks,
And the shadows flee,
Turn my lover,
And be like a gazelle
Or like a young stag
On the rugged hills

18
SIPHO: (snorts like a stag! They both laugh) Gee Solomon
was clever! (Laugh heartily at her) and you, everything
you do is magic.

(Thandi bounces the ball and Sipho catches it holding it

close to him and disappears)

Words chasing each other around my brain – “Be careful what

you wish for Sipho – you might just get it’ – BAM! Like
a massive tidal wave you crashed down right in front of
me and made me thirsty for your love. JA…suddenly no
time…no place! Oh! Thandi

(Then he sees Pinky’s magazines, goes through them.)

Pinky? Well…how would I describe Pinky to someone that’s

never met her – Pinky is just Pinky.

(Looks at the picture of Thandi)

What date is it today? Huh? The 13th! Unlucky for some – but
not for me – the 13th was the day we met – yes I met you
on that day and from then on we celebrated it as our
anniversary. Guess what I’ve got for you?

Thandi appears

THANDI: A special card – you made yourself?

SIPHO: Ugh!

THANDI: Tickets for a movie – a romantic movie – like

Pretty Woman?

SIPHO: Try again!

THANDI: Vetkoek – Vetkoek with mince?

SIPHO: Oh just close your eyes – (play around with her and
the bear)

THANDI: (Opens her eyes – sees the cute teddy bear) Oh

thank you it will always remind me of you - forever!

SIPHO: I liken you my darling to a mare.

THANDI: Harnessed to one of the chariots of the Pharaoh

19
SIPHO: Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings.

BOTH: Your neck with a string of jewels.

SIPHO: I have for you earrings of gold – studded with silver

THANDI: Oh my, oh my – these are beautiful – (takes the

earrings puts them on) How do I look?

SIPHO: Great – you look you look like…a goddess...

THANDI: No shush! It was just a simple question - Guess

what I’ve got for you?

SIPHO: I don’t know?

THANDI: Close your eyes!

SIPHO: Come on Thandi –

THANDI: Close your eyes!

SIPHO: Okay – this better be good –

(He closes his eyes she kisses him – music starts to play –
she kisses him on the forehead, nose, cheeks, etc - she
exits as the lights fade)

Scene Four
On a creative roll he opens a packet of cigarettes and
finds it empty, takes out some coins and counts them and
becomes agitated. He picks up a jacket and slings it over
his shoulders, as he is about to exit Pinky enters.

PINKY: (Returning from the photo shoot with Nandos) Going

out?

SIPHO: Yes to get myself cigarettes.

PINKY: You’ll want that 50 bucks then?

20
She gives him some money. He exits. Alone – settles self –
gets her chicken out – sees the photograph – looks back
at Sipho – to make sure he is gone - and at the picture.

…you really are beautiful - but why did you leave him? What
is the secret?

Pinky exits and returns with a waste paper basket to clear

up the papers. Catches sight of the picture again Script
business – she gets the script – can’t believe it –
opens the pages with a cloth –feels guilty – but driven
compelled needs to look! Starts to read – everything
confirmed in her mind.

This can’t be (paging)

He is writing about his past. (Looks through the script) I

wonder if I am in here – (flips through the script)

There is music that synches into sound of footsteps … and

the footsteps stop. The footsteps continue and become
louder on the soundtrack and stop. There is a sound of
gunshots; we then see Sipho and Thandi running around the
stage as if someone is pursuing them.

THANDI: (Panicking) He is shooting at us!

SIPHO: Run Thandi run – run baby.

THANDI: No I won’t leave you (protects him from the gunfire

– she knows who it is - Themba) HELP!! Help!

SIPHO: No one will help us!

THANDI: Help! Somebody wants to kill us! Oh no Themba!

SIPHO: Sshh! I think he is gone (they listen … quiet)

THANDI: Do you think so?

SIPHO: JA he’s gone? (Looks around)

THANDI: Did you see him?

SIPHO: Uggh - uggh! Are you alright?

21
THANDI: I’m fine…. I’m fine. And you

SIPHO: I’m okay!

THANDI: He was dressed in black!

SIPHO: Oh

THANDI: Do you think he was a tsotsi?

SIPHO: No

THANDI: It must have been a tsotsi!

SIPHO: Its madness one minute you are kissing – and

suddenly psow! Pwoosh! Baf! Kepow!!

THANDI: I’m sure he was a tsotsi.

SIPHO: I don’ think so – a tsotsi would have said something

or wanted to take you – grab you….. No I think it
someone we know….

THANDI: Who?

SIPHO: I don’t know…but he was afraid we were going to

recognize him, His voice – hence the clothes and the
silence! Come on Thandi – forget him (Kisses her)

We see Pinky paging through the script, stops to read.

But why Thandi? I’ll do anything you want – you tell me

what to do – If you want gentle – I’ll be gentle, if you
want slowly - I’ll be slow. If you prefer quick - I’ll
be quick.

THANDI: It’s not about being quick or going slow – gentle

or rough.

SIPHO: What is it?

THANDI: I don’t feel ready?

SIPHO: Does anyone ever ‘feel’ ready?

22
THANDI: If what we have is about love not sex – you can
wait.

SIPHO: You always just say ‘wait’- I’ll tell you tomorrow –
Wait! Okay I’ll wait – do you love me though?

THANDI: If I didn’t love you I would not be here with you

SIPHO: Well then why ….

THANDI: (Interrupts him by putting her hand on his mouth)

Shshsh! I know you wish for it!

SIPHO: And you what do you wish for? Say it

THANDI: I wish that every girl in this world would meet a

guy like you … someone who listens … who cares …. Who
understands … and is constant and faithful.

SIPHO: (Playfully) and waits… and waits!!!

THANDI: I wish you stay alive forever just for me…and I

wish to see the day we are husband and wife … I wish for
laughter in the sunshine, for chips with vinegar in the
rain, for moonlight walks, and midnight talks and to
live happily ever after just like in fairy tales.

SIPHO: (runs to her excitedly) Marry me!!

THANDI: What?

SIPHO: Marry me now!

THANDI: What? ….

SIPHO: Come on – this is our fairy tale (takes her by the

hand – they kneel) I, Sipho take you, Thandi, to be my
wedded wife in sickness…health…um in plagues…in
hailstorms… in veldfires, among the thorns…in
Polokwane...Moesina, anywhere…Dipoelapoela…ja till death
do us part. (Looks at Thandi) Your turn!

THANDI: I feel stupid... I Thandi take you to be my wedded

husband in sickness and in health till death us do part.

TOGETHER: I do.

23
SIPHO: Okay Thandi – I’ve made an honest woman of you – we
are married – it is now not a sin to have sex – it is
there in the bible.

THANDI: (walks up the stairs) who do you think I am? Mary

Magdalene? (Turns and exits)

24