Who wouldn’t like to atone for the sins of themselves, and the world, if it could be done in a hammock with ropes, instead of on a Cross, with nails? On a green hilltop, instead of Golgotha, the Place of the Skulls? Isn’t that a comparatively comfortable, almost voluptuous Crucifixion to suffer for the sins of the world, Mr. Shannon?
I think you’re doing things you’re ashamed of and that’s why you act like this. I don’t believe that you go every night at the movies. Nobody goes to the movies night after night. Nobody in his right mind goes to the movies as often as you pretend to. People don’t go to the movies at nearly midnight and movies don’t let out at 2 AM. Come in stumblin’ mutterin’ to yourself like a maniac at three hours sleep and then go to work. Hoo, I can picture how you do it down there, mopin’, dopin’, for those you’re in no condition to do.
Go to the moon you selfish dreamer!
I didn’t go to the moon. I went much further, for time is the longest distance between two places. Not long after that I left St. Louis. I descended the steps of our fire escape for the last time and from then on I followed in my father’s footsteps attempting to find in motion what was lost in space. I traveled around a great deal. The city swept about me like dead leaves, leaves that were brightly colored but torn away from the branches. I would have stopped but I was pursued by something that always came upon me unawares taking me all together by surprise. Perhaps it was a familiar bit of music. Perhaps it was only a piece of transparent glass. Perhaps I’m walking along the street at night in some strange city before I have found companions. And I pass a lighted window of a shop where perfume is sold. Windows filled with pieces of colored glass. Tiny transparent bottles and delicate colors like bits of a shattered rainbow. Then all at once my sister touches my shoulder and I turn around and look into her eyes. … Laura. Laura. I tried so hard to leave you behind me but I am more faithful than I intended to be. I reach for a cigarette, I cross a street, I run to the movies or to a bar. I buy a drink. I speak to the nearest stranger. Anything that will blow your candles out. For nowadays the world is lit by lightning. Blow out your candles Laura. And so goodbye.
Oh Brick. I get so lonely. Living with someone you love can be lonelier than living entirely alone when the one you love doesn’t love you. You can’t even stand drinking out of the same glass can you? … No! No, I wouldn’t. Why can’t you lose your good looks Brick? Most drinking men lose theirs. Why can’t you. I think you’ve even gotten better looking since you weren’t on the bottle. You were such a wonderful love. … You were so exciting to be in love with. Mostly I guess because you were … If I thought you’d never never made love to me again, why I’d find me the longest sharpest knife I could and I’d stick it straight into my heart. I’d do that. Oh Brick how long does this have to go on, this punishment? Haven’t I served my term? Can’t I apply for a pardon? … Is it any wonder. You know what I feel like? I feel all the time like a cat on a hot tin roof.
I’m ashamed, Big Daddy. That’s why I’m a drunk. When I’m drunk, I can stand myself.
May I speak plainly?… If you’ll forgive me, he’s common… He’s like an animal. He has an animal’s habits. There’s even something subhuman about him. Thousands of years have passed him right by, and there he is. Stanley Kowalski, survivor of the Stone Age, bearing the raw meat home from the kill in the jungle. And you – you here waiting for him. Maybe he’ll strike you or maybe grunt and kiss you, that’s if kisses have been discovered yet. His poker night you call it. This party of apes.
I’ve always depended on the kindness of strangers.
Now that’s how I’m gonna clear the table. Don’t you ever talk that way to me. ‘Pig,’ ‘Pollack,’ ‘disgusting,’ ‘vulgar,’ ‘greasy.’ Those kind of words have been on your tongue and your sister’s tongue just too much around here. What do you think you are? A pair of queens? Now just remember what Huey Long said – that every man’s a king – and I’m the King around here, and don’t you forget it.