Act 2 Scene 3

A Work in Progress
88

A group of four enter led by Babette Hughes, 

followed by H.D. Richard Aldington and Glenn Hughes.

Babette:

Sexual tension is in the air……

H.D:

That’s just the smell of city drains

Catullus:

Excuse me, ladies. I just farted.  (Picking up the scroll)

We haven’t met.  Gaius Valerius Catullus.  (He bows).

H.D:

Hilda Doolittle.  Babette Hughes.  My husband Richard 

Catullus: 

Who needs no introduction.  Which leaves this abject specimen.  Our producer.

Glenn Hughes:

Babette, I told you didn’t I…that you would find him just like I said, he’s programmed to be rude because of vulgar stuff he once wrote.  He could have been a contender.  But you died young, didn’t you? What can you tell us about that?  Did they give you that memory?

Catullus:

Stupid question.  How did I die if I’m not dead

I exist.  I’m immortal.  I’m here on this set.

My memories are only what I’ve retrieved and read

Lesbia is here now so I am inspired again

I know there’s poems words I left unsaid

What I see now reminds me of Caesar

Consorting with underage girls undressed

No conquering hero Trump. He owes crypto his wealth

Billionaires like Crassus backed him before

Before his grandiosity made him unpopular

Turned Senators against him who finally saw

His megalomania was caused by dementia

They needed to save their own estates

God knows they all fully deserved their fates

They saw his unquenchable thirst for revenge 

His constant need for old insults to avenge

They needed to act…

Briseis:

And they did.  

I’m not Lesbia (taking off the blond wig).  

I’m Briseis.  I am so glad I inspire you as I inspired Homer.  

Glenn Hughes:

Now you look just like H.D.

H.D:

I’m taller than she.

Catullus:

A well-nourished woman.  People are much taller now.

When there’s ample food and it’s affordable

Children can grow

                             friends entertain 

                                                   none go hungry

There’s ample food but the rich won’t share it

There’s good health for the rich      for the poor fungi

Disdain for the poor Trump’s policies declare it

Tariffs on top of taxes which the poor must pay

They voted for him.  They think he’s lost his way

They see he’s losing it.  He’s suddenly too old

He has a half-life.  He’s become radioactive

He cannot stay still…  

Glenn Hughes:

Cut.

Dick Russell © Richard M Russell

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