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An excerpt from my play Slasher Mary, about the suffragette Mary Richardson,
who in 1914 slashed the painting The Rokeby Venus in the National Gallery in
London. Evidence suggests that prior to this Mary had been a bit of a fantasist.
SCENE 5
THE GARDEN OF A COTTAGE IN THE COTSWOLDS.
BIRDSONG, BEES
MARY:
I gave them merry hell in Holloway, I can tell you. When
they were force feeding me they needed five people
just to hold me down.
LILLIAN:
Good Lord!
MARY:
I’d be covered in scratches by the time they let
me go. Look, I’ve still got some.
LILLIAN:
They look more like cuts than scratches. You
should see a doctor, Mary…
MARY:
Cuts! No, they’re just scratches. They don’t even hurt
any more.
LILLIAN:
If you’re sure. Lemonade?
MARY:
Please. It’s so good to be here, Lillian, in your
lovely cottage. I do feel the need to recuperate for a
while. Thank you …
LILLIAN:
It’s a pleasure.
MARY:
(SWALLOWING) So how about you? How many people did
you have when you were in the feeding-chair?
LILLIAN:
Oh, the usual three, I think. You’re much more
of a fighter than I am, Mary. (BEAT) I find the forcible
feeding terrible. I’m not sure I’ll be able to stand it
another time. (BEAT) It’s just … oh, dear, I really am a
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silly, weak woman ….When my husband was still alive, I
got used to telling him all about it when I got home. Not
the feeding, that hadn’t started then, but the insults,
and the kicks … men spitting at me in the street.
It was so much easier to bear when I knew that at the
end of the day Edward would be there, by the fireside,
tut-tutting and blustering and telling me I ought to give
it up. (LAUGHS SOFTLY) He got quite cross with me
sometimes...
MARY:
Did he ever hit you?
LILLIAN:
Oh, no! He used to put his arm round me. It was just
that he didn’t like to see me getting hurt. But now of
course our treatment’s much worse, and when I’m
released and I come home - after the tubes up my nose,
and the threats, and the screams – there’s nobody there
to listen to me. Only the maidservant. She’s very good,
but I can’t possibly burden her.
MARY:
Do they hurt a lot, the tubes?
LILLIAN:
I beg your pardon ...
MARY:
I know they hurt of course, but do they hurt you a lot?
LILLIAN:
No more than anyone else, I’m sure. You are
looking pale, Mary. Had we better go in?
MARY:
Lillian, the next time you get out of Holloway, you must
come and see me. I’ve only got a small room, but you
can have the bed, and I’ll sleep on the floor. I’ll be so
happy to look after you.
LILLIAN:
That’s very kind of you, Mary, but …
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MARY:
No buts, you’re coming, do you hear? Then you’ll be
able to tell me all about it. I know I’m not your
husband ... but I will at least understand how you’re
feeling. I’ve been through it too remember. (BEAT) I’ve
never really had a close friend before. I wasn’t allowed
out much when I was living in Canada.
LILLIAN:
Weren’t you?
MARY:
I was brought up by my Grandfather, and he was a bit
strict ...(WORDS FAIL HER)
LILLIAN:
You’re here now, that’s the important thing.
CUT TO REGENT STREET. MARY ENTERS AND
HIDES IN A SHOP DOORWAY
MARY:
I’ve got to, I’ve got to ...(CUTS HERSELF, GASPS) Ahh!
TWO SHOPPERS ENTER AND LOOK IN SHOP
WINDOWS
SUFFRAGETTE SHOPPER 1: I love that draped effect, don’t you? Do you think it
would suit me?
SUFF.SHOPPER 2:
It’s intended for very slim women …
MARY:
(JOINING THEM) Good morning. Excuse me, are you
here for the demonstration?
SUFF.SHOPPER 1:
(WHISPER) You’d better keep your voice down.
SUFF.SHOPPER 2:
(WHISPER) We’re just waiting for the signal.
BIG BEN BEGINS TO STRIKE ELEVEN
SUFF.SHOPPER 1:
(LOUD VOICE) Ready, ladies? Got your weapons handy?
MARY:
(WHISPER) Do you think they’ll send us to prison? I get a
bit frantic if I’m locked up.
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ELEVEN STRIKES
SUFF.SHOPPER 1:
Now ladies!
IN SLOW MOTION THE SHOPPERS RAISE THEIR
ARMS AND WITH HAMMERS SMASH THE SHOP
WINDOWS. MARY DROPS HER HAMMER ON THE
GROUND AND REMAINS MOTIONLESS, OVERCOME BY
TERROR