BARON JIRO

ACT TWO, SCENE TWO

Time: Three months later.

Place: Hawaii

(Sayuri is seated on an upright plastic chair at a circular outdoor table on the veranda of the Shimazu residence overlooking the ocean. We hear the sound of waves lapping the near shore. She is dressed in a morning robe, drinking coffee. There is a transparent glass dish containing pineapple chunks on the table and a sugar bowl. Soemu enters from left in chauffeur’s dress, replete with cap, grey uniform and polished shoes. He conceals a copy of the "Honolulu Advertiser" behind his back.)

Sayuri

So, did you have any trouble driving to school?

Soemu

Yes, m’am. The storm knocked down four royal palm trees on the boulevard and we had to wait for the workers to clear them off.

Sayuri

I’ve been thinking, Soemu, wouldn’t you rather send your children to Miss Watson’s school with mine?

Soemu

(Shaking his head but smiling.) Thank you, m’am. (He is about to say something but stops himself.)

Sayuri

Yes? Go on, say it.

Soemu

The common school is more…American. My children, I think they will play better with boys and girls from their own class.

Sayuri

The Baron would have wanted your children to have the very best.

Soemu

I bless his memory.

Sayuri

Yes, I am sure you miss him terribly, too.

Soemu

It is true he gave his life for me. Forgive me for reminding you, please.

Sayuri

Oh, I’m quite all right about it by now, and I’ve learned to live with the pain. He was so gentle. ‘Don’t kick the general’s face!’ he said. I still get angry at the way they shot him on the sidewalk going in to his office, with no trial, assassinated like a dog, with all those strangers looking on. If only I had been there to put my arms around one last time! He died so alone.

Soemu

He knew you loved him.

Sayuri

Y-e-s, that’s so. Well, we must try to remember the happy days and think about the future.

Soemu

Yes, ma’m.

Sayuri

So, there is something I have been meaning to tell you.

Soemu

Yes, m’am.

Sayuri

First, give me what you are hiding behind your back. (Soemu hands her copy of Honolulu Bulletin.) Can you read yet how they reviewed my little performance?

Soemu

My reading is still not good enough, Madam. But the lady at the newstand said you are front page news.

Sayuri

(Reads) The fiery diva Madam Sayuri Shimazu astonished the Opera Society last night by concluding her recital with a short political attack warning the audience of events happening in Japan. The opera singer, whose husband, Baron Jiro Shimazu was assassinated this past winter, spoke for two minutes about the takeover of the civilian government in Japan by the Army. She thanked America for granting her and her family asylum and warned them that Japan planned to enslave China as well as Manchuria and will attack any country that tries to stop it, including America. Most of the astonished music lovers were surprised and confused by Madam Shimazu’s remarks. But some who heard her message stood up and applauded. (Looks at Soemu)

Soemu

The Baron would have been proud of you.

Sayuri

I believe he would.

Soemu

Is this what you wanted to tell me?

Sayuri

No, there’s something else. (Beat) I am with child.

Soemu

Oh, congratulations.

Sayuri

Soemu, it is General Ubukata’s child.

Soemu

Oh, Madam! Are you sure?

Sayuri

Women know these things. My instinct is to have it removed and to throw it into the nearest garbage pail for the dogs. (Pauses) Instead, I am going to take that bastard’s child and, if it’s a boy, I will never let him play with a gun, never. I will raise him to love art and music and read fine books to him and when he is grown I will turn him over to Akio to learn the ways of the House of Shimazu and to be of service to humanity. I will see to it that he never knows who his real father was. Instead, I will tell him he is the son of Baron Jiro, and I will tell him that the Army had his father killed. That’s a lie of course, but armies kill so many fathers, what’s one more. (Pauses) So, well, what do you think?

Soemu

I have a present for the baby.

Sayuri

That was quick.

Soemu

The rag doll the Baron gave me that last night in Tokyo.

Sayuri

I never noticed you brought it with you.

Soemu

After what I did, I was frightened on the plane and squeezed it for

courage.

Sayuri

(Smiles.) You remember the Baron said this cheap doll will put a smile on the face of some little girl?

Soemu

It will be for your son.

Sayuri

(Suddenly cries.) Oh, what they did to us over Shanghai!

(Soemu immediately grabs white linen napkin from table and gives it to Sayuri, who dries her eyes.)

Soemu

With your permission, Ma’m, I will help my wife in the rock garden. (He exits.)

Sayuri

(Sayuri rises from her chair and getting her emotions under control speaks directly to audience) And so here we are, living life with no fear under American protection, with the Pacific wind and a tropical sun on our faces, with coffee from Brazil and pineapple cut fresh from the earth this morning on a table set for us in paradise by Baron Jiro. Yes, with everything before us, the children learning English, and me back in the opera house, and with new life in my belly. And yet, in the midst of all this plenty, how the heart hungers for the one love that is lost. (Crying, Sayuri wipes her eyes, smiles, turns, and walks off.)

Blackout

The End