Voices in Time

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Ben
For God’s sake, Mrs. Robinson, here we are: you’ve got me into your house. You give me a drink. You put on music, now you start opening up your personal life to me and tell me your husband won’t be home for hours.

Mrs. Robinson
So?

Ben
Mrs. Robinson—you are trying to seduce me.
[There is a pause. She looks at him.]

Ben
[weaker] Aren’t you?

Mrs. Robinson
Why no. I hadn’t thought of it. I feel rather flattered that you—

Ben
Mrs. Robinson, will you forgive me for what I just said?

Mrs. Robinson
It’s all right.

Ben
It’s not all right, it’s the worst thing I’ve ever said to anyone.

Mrs. Robinson
We’ll forget it right now. Finish your drink.

Ben
What is wrong with me?

Mrs. Robinson
Have you ever seen Elaine’s portrait?

Ben
Her portrait?

Mrs. Robinson
Yes.

Ben
No.

Mrs. Robinson
We had it done last Christmas. Would you like to see it?

Ben
Very much.

[Ben moves into Elaine’s room and looks up at the portrait.]

Ben
Elaine certainly is an attractive girl, isn’t she?

[In the background Mrs. Robinson watches him.]

Ben
[looking at the portrait] I don’t remember her as having brown eyes.

Mrs. Robinson
Benjamin?

Ben
Yes?

Mrs. Robinson
Will you unzip my dress?

[He steps back.]

Ben
I’d rather not, Mrs. Robinson.

Mrs. Robinson
If you still think I’m trying to seduce you—

Ben
No, I don’t. But I just feel a little funny.

Mrs. Robinson
Benjamin—you’ve known me all your life.

Ben
I know that. But I’m—

Mrs. Robinson
Come on.

[She turns her back.]

Mrs. Robinson
It’s hard for me to reach.

[Ben reaches forward and pulls the zipper down.]

Mrs. Robinson
Thank you.

Ben
Right.

[Ben walks toward the door.]

Mrs. Robinson
What are you so scared of?

Ben
I’m not scared, Mrs. Robinson.

Mrs. Robinson
Then why do you keep running away?

[Mrs. Robinson lets her dress fall to the floor.]

Mrs. Robinson
Benjamin—I’m not trying to seduce you. I wish you’d—

Ben
I know that. But please, Mrs. Robinson. This is difficult for me.

Mrs. Robinson
Why is it?

Ben
Because I am confused about things. I can’t tell what I’m imagining. I can’t tell what’s real. I can’t—

Mrs. Robinson
Would you like me to seduce you?

Ben
What?

Mrs. Robinson
Is that what you’re trying to tell me?

Ben
I’m going home now. I apologize for what I said. I hope you can forget it. But I’m going home right now.

[Benjamin walks out of the door and down the hall. He gets to the stairs and starts down.]

Mrs. Robinson’s Voice
Benjamin?

Ben
Yes.

Mrs. Robinson’s Voice
Will you bring up my purse before you go?

[Mrs. Robinson walks into the hall. Her back is to us. She is holding her dress in front of her.]

Mrs. Robinson’s Voice
I’m in the bathroom.

Ben
Well, here’s the purse.

Mrs. Robinson’s Voice
Could you bring it up?

Ben
Well, I’ll hand it to you.

[Ben starts back up the stairs.]

Ben
Come to the railing and I’ll hand it up.

[Ben appears as he slowly climbs the stairs.]

Mrs. Robinson’s Voice
For God’s sake, Benjamin, will you stop acting that way and bring me the purse?

[Ben gets to the top of the stairs, and starts slowly down the hall.]

Mrs. Robinson’s Voice
All right. Put it in the room where we were.

Ben
Right.

[Ben walks quickly into Elaine’s room, crosses to the bed, and puts the purse down. As he starts to turn back, he looks up at Elaine’s portrait. There is a movement reflected in the glass of the portrait. He turns quickly. Mrs. Robinson, naked, is shutting the door to the bedroom behind her.]

Ben
Oh God.

[She smiles.]

Ben
Let me out.

[She turns the lock on the door.]

Mrs. Robinson
Don’t be nervous.

Ben
Get away from that door.

Mrs. Robinson
I want to say something first.

Ben
Jesus Christ!

Mrs. Robinson
If you won’t sleep with me this time, Benjamin, I want you to know you can call me up any time you want and we’ll make some kind of arrangement.

Ben
Let me out!

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