Tableau IV of “Your Handsome Captain” by Simone Schwarts-Bart, Jessica Harris, and Catherine Temerson, ended in uncertainty. Wilnor questioned his wife’s love for him by saying “Your handsome captain….?” at the end of his recording. I answered the question to his wife in Tableau V.
TABLEAU V
The Voice
Wilnor, handsome captain today is April 1. I cannot be angry if you ever gave in to those women. What about our house? Is this your way of saying farewell? I do not want this child. It is not yours. It will only be a reminder of your good friend. I do not want to remember him. I want to forget. I want to forget about him, about you being away from me, about this child, about everything. (She weeps.) I want to fly away. What should I do with this child? How am I supposed to take care of it alone?
Wilnor
Marie-Ange. I was just acting out of anger. I will start saving again. I am not saying farewell. I will send for you and the baby after you have given birth. You must love the little angel as if it were mine, and we will raise him or her as if it were mine and yours. It will not be a reminder of our mutual friend. It will be ours and only ours. It will grow and run and play (he chuckles as he imagines watching the child grow up). The three of us will fly away together. We will be happy. Do not fret my dear Marie-Ange, you are never alone. Even though were miles away, hearing your voice singing, talking, and laughing makes me feel as if you were here with me physically. It feels as if I was enjoying you and your body.
The Voice
Moooooin n’aaaaaimmmme chaaaaaanter
Moooooin n’aaaaaimmmme daaaaaaanser… (She sings some more. Now in a happier, playful, mischievous tone. She twirls around with child in her belly. She moves from side to side as imagining she is dancing with Wilnor and their child)
(She speaks once more.) Wilnor. My handsome captain. It is now September 25. It has been five months since I heard your voice. I am almost. I think it is a boy. I hope it is a boy. If it is, I want his name to be Wilnor. If it is a girl, I want to name her after your mother, but I will give you the honors of a picking a name. I should tell you that everyone is well here. Please tell me, how are you? I worry about you Wilnor; you are there, and I am here with child. My handsome captain, please tell me you are well.
(She starts singing again). Moooooin n’aaaaaimmmmmme chaaaaaaannter, Moooooin. n’aaaaaimmmmme daaaaaaaaanser. . .
Wilnor
My sweet Marie-Ange, I am doing well. My savings are starting to grow again. I am glad to hear that my family is doing well. I will do the honors of naming our little Angel. It is so nice hearing your voice again. It is no nice feeling your excitement and energy. I cannot wait to be with you again. Distance is like an ocean. I almost have enough money to send for you and the baby. I will be sending for you in due time. We will all fly away together.
Until next time my sweet Marie-Ange. . . . .