Act V

Scene: The Masoleum. The Monster is carrying Mrs. Frankenstein. Mrs. Frankenstein is moaning and sobbing uncontrollably. The monster throws her on the slab.

Mrs. Frankenstein: …you…you are the creature everyone has been talking about… why do you bring me here? What do you want?

Monster: I want nothing from you…

Mrs. Frankenstein: …you…you… speak?

Monster: Did you think I could only grunt and howl at the moon? Is that what he told you?

Mrs. Frankenstein: He, who? What are you talking about?

Monster: Know him? Do you mean to tell me that he never mentioned me to you?

Mrs. Frankenstein stares at the monster mutely, but with tremendous curiosity. Her fear seems much less. She gathers her gown and sits up…

Mrs. Frankenstein: You know my husband?

Monster: Know him? Do you mean to tell me that he never mentioned me to you?

Suddenly it is the monster who is filled with fear, and the monster and Mrs. Frankenstein change places physically…

Mrs. Frankenstein: He has never mentioned you, except to say that you were an abomination—a mistake of nature—that you had to be destroyed for the sake of the rest of humanity, though he felt pity for such a malformed creature…

Monster: That’s what he said? That I was a mistake of nature?

Mrs. Frankenstein: And, well… aren’t you?

The monster begins to howl and to sob uncontrollably, and even Mrs. Frankenstein feels pity, and moves to comfort the creature. When she moves towards it, it starts up and moves away from her.

Monster: Perhaps you misunderstand my tears…

The monster opens its coat, towards Mrs. Frankenstein, in a defiant gesture- this is not directed towards the audience, but to Mrs. Frankenstein alone…she recoils in horror. The SUGAR PLUM FAERIES begin, as the creature speaks, to examine parts of their bodies, and each others, from the place they sit on the ground.

Mrs. Frankenstein: What are you?

Monster: I am only what I was made to be, and by he who refuses to acknowledge it.

Do you see this breast? Does it look familiar to you? This scar… haven’t you seen it before? When you played dress up with her, and she was so concerned to hide it? You remember?

And this hand, do you see it, with the pretty fingers, so long and graceful, that played the piano for you when you were sad? And how you have missed her? Perhaps you have imagined her fingers on the keys when you felt lonely—don’t you see them now?

And this chin, so resolute… don’t you remember it, as she stood at the gallows, and it trembled slightly as the rope was tightened round her throat?

Mrs. Frankenstein: What are you trying to say?

Monster: I say nothing—I want you to look at what I am—
does what you see say nothing?

Mrs. Frankenstein: (growing more uncomfortable)…but what you are saying is insane—what are talking about? These women are dead you speak of… and why do you mention them? …to hurt me? …to frighten me? I am frightened, and so does that please you?

Monster: It is not my desire to frighten you…I only wish you to look…

Mrs. Frankenstein, almost in tears, takes the monster’s hand and brings it to her face. Recognition forces her to throw it down, but after a moment she in a panic examines the scar on the monsters breast, and horror compels her to touch the scar and hurriedly the chin. She backs away from the monster almost falling on the ground. She stares at the monster, speechless…

The SUGAR PLUM FAERIES stop their self examination, and sit leaning towards the monster, waiting for a word. The monster closes up its garments and turns towards the audience. It is trembling, and says nothing…

Clyde begins busily and noisily scribbling in his pad.
There is an uncomfortable silence, except for Clyde’s scribbling…

Mrs. Frankenstein: You are… made from dead …things?
Are you dead?

The monster throws back its head, as if startled, and ceases trembling.
Clyde stops scribbling, leaning his head forward.
The SUGAR PLUM FAERIES huddle more closely.

Monster: (sadly) …in many ways… yes…

Abruptly, the monster turns on its heels towards Mrs. Frankenstein.

Monster: Stay here. Please. You will be perfectly safe.
[turning to go, then turning back] There is nothing I can do to make you leave without him?

Mrs. Frankenstein stares mutely at the monster, not comprehending anything that is being said at this point. The monster exits as Mrs. Frankenstein slumps back to the ground, and the SUGAR PLUM FAERIES gather round her, playing with her hair and feeling of her gown, etc

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