Making History Extra Scene

ACT 1

SCENE 2b

The large living room in O’Neill’s house. Mary and Mabel are arguing about Mabel’s marriage to Hugh. The lacework Mabel had been working on lays discarded on the floor, and the horseplay off stage continues, despite the growing tensions between the sisters.

Mary: ...You tell me that he speaks three or four languages and that every leader in Europe respects him- but I can tell you that-

Mabel: (exasperated) Tell me what, Mary? (sighs) It seems you are privy to any old gossip floating about concerning Hugh, no doubt half from Henry, but may I remind you that he is my husband. (Pause)

Mary: Typical Mabel. It is Hugh who has separated you from us, but yet you blame it all on us, your family!

Mabel: I have made a decision, and I will stand by it. I’ll stand by Hugh. If you had any sense of loyalty you would understa-

Mary: Me?! Loyalty?! Don’t make me laugh. Look at yourself Mabel. You left your own family in a heartbeat to elope with the first man that looked your way, who happened to be none other that The Hugh O’Neill. Do you have any idea what that makes us look like? Do you have any idea what mess you left behind?!

Mabel: No. No I don’t. (pause) Because you closed me off. I have never asked much of you Mary, but these sparse visits from you and none from anyone else make it hard to believe you really do miss me!

Mary: Father was devastated Mabel! He couldn’t wrap his poor head around it; he went to the grave still wonder-

Mabel: (fiercely) Then where was my message?! “He forgot nobody”?! You all stereotyped the Irish before you even listened to me, and shunned me as soon as I fell in love with one.

Mary: Fell in love? Oh Mabel, you are naive. (Mary shakes her head)

Mabel: Why? How is this any different than you and Patrick? He’s 65 for goodness sake; I highly doubt you have even a slight notion of feeling for him!

Mary: I don’t need one! He’s well respected, and he’s not a traitor to my country, like your Hugh. (Long awkward...