TOM You ’ re right . I ’ ll do it . I won ’ t have to say goodbye . Give me the soup .
9
( Takes the bowel and is about to drink when the Old Woman stops him .)
OLD WOMAN Oh- one more thing before pulmenti . You will live but will no more see those you love .
What ? I have to be able to go home .
TOM
OLD WOMAN You must never return to your home ! For if you do , then that sickness which is within you will infect those you love and they will be no more . I have experienced this with my own mom and dad . I know how awful it feels . No one should ever go through this pain . No more talk- no more see those that you have known .
TOM I , I ’ m not sure that I can say goodbye to my family . My friends . Mark .
OLD WOMAN We will be family . You will be with me and I will be lonely no more and in the same way you will not be alone . The gods have sent you to me . I am so lonely but now we will be together .
You need to do this . You ’ ll live .
With me .
MARK
OLD WOMAN
MARK At least I ’ ll know that you ’ re not in pain . I ’ ll know you ’ re alive . I can tell your parents that-
OLD WOMAN Oh no . When one takes of pulmenti they are forgotten . Those that have known them will have no memory that they were . You forget Tom but Tom will live . You will have no sadness because there is no memory .
It will be like I was never alive .
TOM
OLD WOMAN But Tom , you and I will be together and we will make new memories . Pulmenti ?
I , I don ’ t want to lose you but I will either way .
MARK
TOM If I don ’ t drink it then you ’ ll have memories when I ’ m gone and I ’ ll be able to be with you for a little while longer .