The Anarchist

Read The Anarchist for Free Online

Book: Read The Anarchist for Free Online
Authors: David Mamet
Tags: Drama, General, American
: Except?
    CATHY : Deterrence, punishment, and incarceration.
    ANN : And what did he say about “Rehabilitation”?
    CATHY : You impress me, Ann.
    ANN : Yes, you said. “That Criminology . . .”
    CATHY : “Criminology, as any study claiming the imprimatur of science, must rest upon observation, but that all observation in prison is corrupt.”
    ANN : Go on.
    CATHY : “For there all function under unnatural restraint, and one can no more usefully reason from measurements made there than from that of wild animals caged in a zoo.”
    ANN : What is September 25th?
    CATHY : It is the anniversary of the Robbery.
    ANN : How might others understand it?
    CATHY : Who?
    ANN : We have very little time.
    CATHY : It is the anniversary of the death of the two officers.
    ANN : And who might understand it as such?
    CATHY : Their families.
    ANN : Their families . Have . . .
    CATHY : I know . . .
    ANN : For thirty-five years.
    CATHY : I know they have.
    ANN : Sat. On these occasions . . . In that anteroom . . .
    CATHY : What do you want?
    ANN : While I, and while my predecessor . . .
    CATHY : Yes. The “Families . . .”
    ANN : And Mrs. Fiske, who is . . .
    CATHY : I know who she is.
    ANN : Who is she?
    CATHY : Officer Shay’s . . .
    ANN : Yes. Do you see? Officer Shay’s daughter. Which became the definition of her life. She could not attend. Her son could not attend, as he is caring for his mother, who is ill. And they write to say what? What is their request?
    CATHY : Call the guard.
    ANN : To ask . . . what?
    CATHY : Call the guard.
    ANN : To plead, in the name of justice. That you be left to die in Prison. (Pause) My task. Is to overcome my feelings.And attempt to rule, if I can, impartially, upon the case. I understand your feelings . . .
    CATHY : Is that so?
    ANN : . . . and in spite of them, and mine, attempt to employ, yes, I think I . . .
    CATHY : What are they?
    ANN : My feelings?
    CATHY : Yes, what are . . .?
    ANN : Is it beyond you that one might succeed in keeping them in check? And that it’s laudable ? Is there a name for this?
    CATHY : All right.
    ANN : Is it called “reserve”? Or “circumspection,” or . . .
    CATHY : . . . all right.
    ANN : Might it be called restraint? (Pause) You would like to go free.
    CATHY : Everyone here would like to go free.
    ANN : Feeling that you have served more than a sufficiency of what you see as a cruel sentence . . .
    CATHY : Do you think that it was cruel?
    ANN : I understand the mentality of the judge who imposed it.
    CATHY : Do you think it was cruel?
    ANN : . . . I would like to think it was imposed in sorrow. I believe your crime frightened him, and that he acted to protect those he had sworn to protect.
    CATHY : Was the sentence cruel?
    ANN : It was cruel to you .
    CATHY : And can you act to end the cruelty? Or would that be to rely upon your feelings? In this case “kindness.”
    ANN : It is an awesome power I have. Yes: It “comes from the end of a gun.” As did yours. When you killed those officers. And I assure you, I know I, no less than you, will be held to account.
    CATHY : Do you mean we all shall be held to account in Heaven? (Pause) Does not such a view, legally, unfit you to judge me?
    ANN : How would that be?
    CATHY : To invoke a system which . . .
    ANN : “Religion”?
    CATHY : . . . which . . .
    ANN : . . . but you invoked religion . . .
    CATHY : . . . a system which, I beg your pardon . . .
    ANN : I judge to the best of my ability. According to the Law. It is not my personal theology, nor bias, nor, indeed “knowledge of Human Nature” which permit me to judge, but a dedication to the Law which obligates me. To do so.
    (Pause.)
    CATHY : And how is Mrs. Fiske.
    ANN : She is unwell.
    CATHY : Is she seriously ill?
    ANN : She has dedicated her life to your punishment. I would assume she is. (Pause) You cried. When your friend abandoned you. And wrote to plead with her to “stay

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