rhianbwatts: “But now I have changed my mind, or the girl who said ‘no’, she doesn

rhianbwatts:

“But now I have changed my mind, or the girl who said ‘no’, she doesn’t exist anymore, she died last summer - suffocated in smoke from something on fire inside her. No, she doesn’t live now, but she left me her ring - You see? This one you admired, the topaz ring set in pearls… And she said to me when she slipped the ring on my finger - ‘Remember I died empty-handed, and so make sure that your hands have something in them!“ I said, ‘But what about pride?’ - She said, ‘Forget about pride whenever it stands between you and what you must have!’ And then I said, ‘But what if he doesn’t want me?’ I don’t know what she said then. I’m not sure whether she said anything or not - her lips stopped moving - yes, I think she stopped breathing. No? Then the answer is ‘no’!”

SUMMER AND SMOKE, Tennessee Williams (2018, Almeida Theatre)