PURPLE YOUTH A Play in One Act ROBERT Decamp leland Book..£SlPS_ CopightN" COPmiGRT DEPOSIT. Purple Youth / By ROBERT DeCAMP LELAND Roses and Rebellion The Book of Romance Purple Touth A Play in One Act By ROBERT Decamp leland BOSTON THE FOUR SEAS COMPANY 1918 ^^^h f%^6\ Copyright, ipi8, by The Four Seas Company All rights reserved The Four Seas Press Boston, Mass., U. S. A. fi nr> \ I I9i8 ©CI.D 4 94:^3 Purple Youth Purple Youth PERSONS Jean Ardlon, an author; realist and romanticist, aristocrat and pagan, lover of life, realizing it as the greatest of the arts. The sad face of the artist and dreamer, with a touch of cynicism at the corners of the delicate mouth. Young, slender, lithe, debonair. SiNA CoNRAN, a painter, the rare combination of the woman and artist. All-wise to life and love ; in all things the feminine counterpart of Jean. Utterly and unconventionally beautiful, in her face the pathos of a Madonna, her body slender, supple. There is a delicacy to her that is almost of the aesthete, yet with Jean, she has sensed that living — beautifully — is the sole justification of life. All their ideals, hopes, hates and desires are one. In- satiate lovers of beauty and finding it in each other, Gamaliel Tumsen, the everlasting Puritan. SCENE The studio of the lovers; a little shelter of real [9] Purple Youth Bohemia hidden away in the lair of the Philistines. Delicately furnished but with an evidence of econ- omy; a dark, Florentine table in the center of the room being the one luxury of furnishing. On it two bronze candlesticks; and chairs right and left of it. The long studio window, blue-curtained, is at the left. Before it an easel holding a newly- stretched canvas. Other canvases are piled against the window. At the back of the room a dark purple hanging hides bedroom and kitchen. The one door of the room is at the right back wall; a model-stand beside it. A writing desk, easy-chair and bookcase are at the right. A few landscapes and portraits on the walls. The room is in the half-light of the candles, heightened while TuMSEN is on by a shaded electric light over the table. TIME Here and Now. Evening and December. At rise of curtain Sin a, in a black velvet gown trimmed with silver, is setting the table for dinner. Places for two are already arranged and she is just laying down a blue china salad dish. She stands with finger to lip thoughtfully, then goes to window, lifts aside curtain and stands looking out. Sky- [lol Purple Youth scrapers can he seen illuminated. Below, snow over the roofs of the city and far out the lights of ships in the harbor. Jean enters and crosses to her. They embrace. SiNA You kiss beautifully. Quite like a god. Jean Divine, you have made me Divinity. [They look out over the city, lovers, dreamers.] SiNA Jean, you look worried — tired. Jean I am. Tired of existence in this wilderness of the commonplace. It's getting on my nerves. We've got to get away from it, that's sure. If we don't, the herd will trample us; every day they hedge us closer and closer. A sad environment for gods. Sina It's torture for us both. But where can we go? Purple Youth Jean Parvena. SiNA But I thought we'd given it up — another golden dream of youth faded to disillusion. Jean Could it ever die? SiNA Oh, never that one. It's the only place on earth where we could be supremely happy. Jean That's why I suffer so. Sina Where life and love are absolute perfection — even the trivial inconsequential. — They hate us here, for don't they always hate the beautiful? Two frail children in a wilderness of beasts. Jean And Parvena — the last refuge in the world for those who live through art. [He takes her hand.] [12] Purple Youth SiNA Oh, Jean, it is all so beautiful and so pathetic. Must the purple of our lives be forever lost in their drab? Jean The penalty of seeking perfection in the here and now of life. SiNA And Parvena? Do you think we will ever reach it? — • All our plans — Jean Plans and plans and plans. Strategies and projects, campaigns and systems ; an eternal running around in a circle. SiNA There must be a way — even for artists. - Jean [Hopelessly] Fve tried everything. SiNA The movies? You could act. [13] Purple Youth Jean Tm not an athlete. SiNA Best-sellers ? Jean Nor a tradesman. SiNA [As they sit at table.] How about soap? Lots of people use it. Jean Now, that's a good idea. There's millions in it. Be a success. Clip the coupon. Don't delay. [Pause. They are silent, wholly serious beneath the banter.] Sina If only I could get some commissions. Jean I thought that the book would pull us through but even that hope seems about to fail. [14] Purple Youth SiNA [Surprised, drops fork] The book? Jean, tell me! Jean Do you know what they threaten to do with Jean Ardlon's latest and dearest brain child "Purple Youth?" They say the infant is blasphemous and salacious, though only two weeks old. Dropped in at Donney's tonight and he said suppression was being threatened. SiNA Censored ! Jean ! Jean Even so. Tumsen of The Society for the Suppression of Thought sent a deputy down to Don*s last week. Told him to recall all copies of the book mimediately or they'd take grave steps. Don, being a brave pub- lisher, refused. Result, another call this week and further threats. I didn't tell you, for I thought it trivial. [Reaches into pocket.] And here's a review from the "Chimes". I'll wager some old woman stayed up till nine o'clock over a cup of strong tea to write it. [Hands it to her.] [15] Purple Youth SiNA [Reading] "Another writer who takes pride in flaunting his eroticism in the face of the public." Oh, I love that. "It is high time that somebody put a stop to publishing these books that deify illicit love and shock every decent sensibility of upright, wholesome men and women." Typical, isn't it, of the old-maid regime! Another kindergarden chant from the provincial illit- erates of Hfe. Jean The academic virtuosi at their chamber music, jang- ling eternally the healthy decorous. That's a good line; I must remember it. Worse yet, tonight as I came in, Mrs. Smudge stopped me in the hall. Some- how she'd run across a copy of the book and the poor soul was properly scandalized. Asked how I could ever write such wicked things. And threatened to cut our lease. SiNA [Laughing] The average reader. And watched the dreary herd wind on its weary way. Landladies, motormen, clerks, flappers, Sunday-school superintendents, farm-hands, [i6] Purple Youth college girls, bootblacks, members of women's clubs, street-cleaners, mechanics, bostonians, brakemen, suit-and-cloak workers, chamber-maids, manufactur- ers, barbers, waiters, policemen. There is your liter- ary tradition. Jean Speaking of policemen, the man of the law that patrols the corner, gave me a slant-eyed look as I came home tonight and followed me tenderly to the door. I still shiver with the distinction. SiNA [Rising] The commonplace begins to show a flash of intensity! I'd like to meet that Dumpson — was that his name? Heavens, but he must be an interesting specimen. He's probably the kind that still thinks woman a mystery — or a doll — or both. Jean And reads the "Boston Transcript" and all the other comic papers. — Some day I'm going to write the brute down. — And wouldn't it be a farce to paint him ? The [17] Purple Youth old jackass would probably roll at your feet if you fed him a little sugar. SiNA Most likely. Oh, Jean, the pathos of it all. It is our purple youth that they would dim. Jean The little villa at Parvena fades. I had such hopes of the book; the advance sale had been big. Next month, dear heart, we would have touched hands far at sea, our fairest dream realized. [Knocks on the door — belligerent knocks — repeated with untactful emphasis. The lovers exchange glances by the table. Jean rises.] SiNA I wonder? Jean Come. [TuMSEN enters. A short, stocky man, bullheaded, stodgy-necked. Ears wide set, eyes narrow and shifty. Erect and dignified after the small-town manner. Hands that seldom move; when they do, gesticulate awkwardly. A deep, assertive voice that [i8] Purple Youth rises in anger to falsetto. Hard, cruel lips that have prayed on Sunday and told near-Rabelaisian stories Monday. Wears a silk hat, a self-made tie, patent leather buttoned shoes and a huge lodge pin in his lapel. A typical herdsman, provincial, credulous, self-assertive, average, mediocre, futile. In short, the perfect Philistine. He feels his way carefully in and faces the two.^ Jean [Politely] We were just finishing dinner — TUMSEN {Easily] Oh, that's all right. I've eaten. [Appraises room and occupants in a glance.] Your name Ardlon? Jean Yes. TUMSEN My name is Tumsen. Gamaliel Tumsen. [Pauses for effect.] Jean I'm glad to know you, Mr. Gamaliel Tumsen. [19] Purple Youth TUMSEN [Grandly] President of The Society for the Suppression of Thought. Jean [Poised] The Society is familiar. Sometimes a Httle too famiUar. TUMSEN [Severely] You are impudent, young man. [ Turns to Sina whose first shock has given place to concealed amusement.] I think your wife had better leave the room a few minutes. [An amused flash between the artists. Sina goes out.] Now, young man, you may know why I have been sent here. Jean Old man, won't you have a chair? Tumsen This is no time for levity. [20] Purple Youth Jean [Amused] As you will. TUMSEN Now, here's the whole story, young fellow. Your book, "Purple Youth," has been passed upon by our Committee and found [Takes out paper] possessing certain characteristics derogatory to the safety of the morals of our reading public. Certain pages, I read from the report, 7-9-28-54-55-80-81-82-83-84 and 93, have been the basis of the closest study. Now the publisher of this book has been twice asked to with- draw it from circulation and has twice refused, the last offense being this afternoon. I have this moment come from his office. [Paces before the table in deep deliberation. At the end of one of the strides he comes face to face with a reproduction of Rodin's Psyche that stands on the bookcase. Shocked a bit, then with the leer of the polished student of pornographic postcards. As Jean turns towards him, Tumsen Tvith a last de- vouring look turns away and continues his pacing. He repeats his eye-infatuation twice, each time his pacing brings him near. The last time Jean notices.] [21] Purple Youth Jean [Amused] Rodin's Psyche. TUMSEN [Embarrassed] Oh, yes, yes — as I said, your publisher, an impudent httle rascal, has refused to withdraw. He knows the consequences, which are quite severe, but claims that your contract releases him of any obligation ; that you are to assume all liability. Jean That's all authors ever assume. TUMSEN Your book is positively vile, that's what it is. It shocks every decency. Why, I blush to think of my daughter reading it. Jean [Bored] Then why did you let her? TUMSEN Shame, sir! [22] Purple Youth Jean Was it shame, sir, or anger that she had read it first. TUMSEN I read it! The idea! Oh, you mean, well, that's different. Have you the impudence to infer that I read it to revel in its wickedness? The theme of it is damnable. Those two people love secretly but they don't get married. Not so you'd notice it. Jean [Innocently] But sometimes people do love that way in life, you know. TUMSEN My dear young man, we're not talking about life; we're talking about books. Jean I see. TUMSEN Now, in your book, this bounder seduces a shop girl. [23] Purple Youth Jean Well— TUMSEN Well, she does not suffer, does she? She rejoices in it and when he leaves her, she is as happy and proud as ever. Now that's damnable. — And besides books should teach happiness, sunlight. They should be healthy and wholesome. Life is sad and wicked enough without writing about it. Jean Your life has had to do with rubber or chewing gum or varnish or scrap-iron. I have pledged mine to the worship of beauty, a commodity foreign to your scheme of fhings. TUMSEN Rubber, the idea ! Have you never heard of Tumsen elevators? Five hundred buildings equipped during the present year. — But what has the elevator business got to do with books? Jean I wish you would tell me. [24] Purple Youth TUMSEN [Angrily rapping the table] Well, I'll tell you. I have got the power — you know that — and whether you like it or not, I'm going to use it. Either I leave this room with a signed statement from you that you withdraw your book, or tomorrow you will continue your writing in jail. Jean An essay on "Anglo-Saxons and Romance," or "The Influence of the Police on Native Art !" [Then sotto.] Farewell, Parvena! TUMSEN Time is short. Jean Thus spake Zarathustra. TUMSEN [Glaring] And thus spake Gamaliel Tumsen. Jean Your proposition calls for deliberation. If I should drop in at your office some day and tell you to stop [25] Purple Youth selling elevators, what would you say? I suppose, that elevators were uplifting and so highly moral. [Pause] If you can give me a few minutes time I would like to consult the publisher. He lives near. Certainly you can see the justice of that. TUMSEN [Hesitating] Well, then, five minutes. But remember the alternative stands, and no tricks, young man, no tricks. Jean Thank you. Meanwhile you can entertain Sina — my wife — [Smiling] Oh, Sina. [Sina enters] Mr. Tumsen of The Society for the Suppression of Thought has come to the conclusion that "Purple Youth" is to be suppressed. Otherwise I must languish in penitence and jail. He has, however, most graciously allowed me to consult with Donney. Until I return, my com- miserations. [He goes out] Sina [Goes to window, stands looking out a moment. Comes to a resolve. No other movement than a swift clenching and unclenching of her hands. Then turns to Tumsen who paces before the table.] [26] Purple Youth Won't you sit down, Mr. Tumsen ? There, let me pull up a chair for you. [She helps him into it. As she does so, her hair touches his cheek. He loses a degree of his belligerency and for the first time seems aware of her beauty. From now on the game is in Sina's hands, the elemental woman, but more, a hundred-fold more beautiful, a hundred-fold subtler. Tumsen takes a furtive, ad- miring side-glance at her as she fusses around him.] Are you comfortable? I have heard so much of you and your work, and have seen your picture so often in the papers. Tumsen [Drinking in her words] My work has brought me into great prominence. SiNA Won't you have some tea? Everybody says my little pasties are adorable. [Smiling sweetly.] I can cook, you know. Most painters can. Please ! [Tumsen yields. She goes out and returns with tea and cakes wh^ch she has previously prepared. She pours for him; again her hair brushes his face, some intangible perfume of her soothes his nostrils. He eats; his heart is open.] [27] Purple Youth TUMSEN Really, I have never tasted anything quite as good as these before. They're even superior to my Sunday morning fish-cakes. SiNA [Their hands touch as he takes another pastie.] I'm so glad you like them. TUMSEN Do you know, I'd like to stay here forever. Every- thing is so nice and quiet. [He smiles his admiration of her between heavy munches. Sina plays up to him. He glances toward the portrait of a beautiful woman that hangs over the writing desk.'\ I love that. It's so — so — impressive. [Rises to admire it.] Beautiful, beautiful. Is it much work, paintin' pictures? Sina That depends on the sitter. [She comes close to him.] Why, Mr. Tumsen, hold that a minute. Now turn a little that way. [Her cool white hands are on his shoulders, as she pulls on the electric light and turns him to face it.] There. [Looks at him critically and admiringly.] Oh, you would be wonderful to paint. You have every point of beauty. [28] Purple Youth TUMSEN [Holding the pose proudly] Oh, do you think so ? SiNA [Going to him and arranging his tie. Her body touches his for a delightful tick of time. Then she steps back critically.] Oh, the clearness of the contour, the subtlety of the cheek. Oh, I must, I must paint you. You are wonderful. TUMSEN [Clay in her hands] I've always wanted to have my picture painted but somehow I've never found time. [Sina glances ap- prehensively at the door, realising time is short.] When can we begin and how much will it cost? Let's start now. [He is like a child with a new-found toy. Pats his hair lovingly.] Sina Most subjects need light, but you could be painted just as well in the dark. [29] Purple Youth TUMSEN I've heard that pictures are very expensive. SiNA I usually get $500 for a portrait, but I want to do you so badly that I'd be willing to give you yours. TUMSEN Oh, no. I couldn't do that. Will it take long? SiNA [Patting his lapel, almost affectionately.] Oh, one or two sittings. And we'd have tea and cakes every time. TUMSEN [Wickedly] 1 hope it takes ten sittings. Then I can be with you. Of course nothing must be said of this. It might cause talk. Here, I will write you a check before I forget it. [SiNA conceals surprise, as Tumsen goes to table.] Or better still, I have the cash with me, if you prefer. I stopped in at the bank this afternoon. [30] Purple Youth SiNA As you say. Perhaps the cash would be better. TUMSEN They've got to be pretty sharp to get it away from me. See, I keep it buttoned in a hidden pocket. [He elab- orately draws out a large roll of bills, counts out five hundreds carefully, and hands them to her. Sina puts them in her bodice. 1 Now when do we begin work? Sina [Goes to easel, prepares brushes and paints] Now. If Jean came back, he might interrupt. TUMSEN Jean? Oh, yes, I forgot. Well, I've about made up my mind to let the boy off easily. Sina [Sweetly] You are so kind — would you mind putting that in writing? [31] Purple Youth TUMSEN [With a side leer of admiration^ Why, yes — anything to please you. [Writes at table.] How's this? "As between friends, agreement is hereby made by Gamaliel Tumsen to cease suppress- ion of Jean Ardlon's novel, 'Purple Youth'. (Signed) Gamaliel Tumsen, President of the Society for the Suppression of Thought." How's that? I'll leave it on the table. SiNA [Sweetly] Thank you. Now sit up there on the model stand. [She goes over and pats him into a stilted pose. Then quickly hack to easel.] Now, this won't take but a few minutes. Try to hold that pose. It's wonderful ! There ! [She works hastily, with quick, sharp strokes. A moment later Jean enters.] Jean [Blinking] What is it, a film or a charade? [32] Purple Youth SiNA [Turning with poised brush] Oh, Jean, Mr. Tumsen has given me a commission to paint his portrait. He thought he would look well on canvas. Jean We refuse to recall the book. SiNA [Points to table and note] But Mr. Tumsen has voluntarily agreed to withdraw his demands. Isn't he sweet! [She leaves Jean to read it — he already senses an underlying comedy. Then back to easel, a few more quick strokes.] There, it's all finished. [Surveys it a moment, adds a stroke. Tumsen gets off stand and advances half way across room to view it. Jean beside him. Sina rolls easel to light and discloses to their gaze a perfect reproduction of a perfectly healthy, wide-eared, blank-faced donkey. On her face the pride of the artist as Tumsen recoils.] The quickest and closest likeness ever done in oils. Tumsen What's this? Why, it's an outrage. [33] Purple Youth Jean [Looking critically and quickly from Tumsen to canvas. ] You certainly got him. SiNA [Lifting canvas hastily from easel] All my life I have wanted to paint you, in all your ugliness, in all your hypocrisy, in all your shallowness, and not until tonight have the fates been kind. There you are, as only an artist could paint you — there you are in all your crude, rustic simplicity — there you are in immortal paint, the everlasting Puritan. [She thrusts it upon him with a half -laugh.] Take it, pre- serve it, sleep with it, eat with it, carry its likeness forever with you as the mark of your kind. Yonder door beckons, the hour is late and the artist is utterly tired and wholly bored. Tumsen My $500! For this outrage. Impudence. [His voice shrieking falsetto.] You will pay for this. You have tricked me. I will not stay longer in this place of mockery. [Playing his trump card.] Your wife there [34] Purple Youth made love to me. She played with me. [A laughing glance of understanding flashes between the artists.] What are you going to do about it? Jean [Amused] This. [He grasps the canvas and with a quick powerful stroke, smashes it down over Tumsen's head.] Always keep it there, may it ever be a halter of art about your head. [He picks up Tumsen's hat and propels him stuttering falsetto imprecations out the door. Then he comes down to Sina. They meet at table.] Sina Oh, Jean. Jean My wife — my dear, maternal, clever wife. It was superb, that denouement. Sina Oh, Jean, I could not resist it. The opportunity so matched the necessity ; the punishment the crime. The book is safe. He cannot go back on his signed state- ment. And shame will keep the beast out of the courts. [35] Purple Youth Jean Wonder girl, you are adorable. — But you don't mean — ? SiNA He paid for it. And in advance. Five hundred crinkly, crispy dollars. Aren't they cute? [Lets the bills flutter into his hands.] You gave me the inspiration. Jean But the execution. You were perfect! There is my essay, all written for me, "Anglo-Saxons and Ro- mance." And a dollar a word. Sina Oh, Jean, I hardly know. — It has all been like a play.* Jean A farce. [He turns out the light and takes her hand.] Sina And more, eternal romance. The farce merely the scherzo to our symphony of love. [They move to the window. Again the sweep of the city; the vista of the harbor.] Tomorrow we will touch hands at sea, you and I, dear boy. [36] Purple Youth Jean Parvena. [Sina turns to his embrace. His lips touch hers tenderly.] Sina Dear. Jean Beloved. Both [Softly] Parvena. [The curtain falls slowly.] [37]