The second customer clowns about with the second boat-woman, and the
two of them board the boat. The second boat-woman seems filled with
power as she rows out. The first customer draws closer to the first
boatwoman, and they walk off stage right.
Murasaki’s clothing is disheveled, but she has not lost her elegant and
refined air. She chases the third man onto the stage.
In the inlet at Tomo women divers fish for bream in the sea at Tomo
women divers draw in their nets they are so dear they are so dear.
THIRD man: I told you my wife and kids are waiting, and you . . . .
MURASAKI: (Taking the man’s hand in hers.) Even my breasts are cold
in this snow. . . .
THIRD MAN: Which one? (He puts his hands on Murasaki’s breasts.)
MURASAKI: Even these breasts sleep in pairs, on this lonely chest of
mine. . . . (She leans coquettishly on him.)
THIRD There’s nothing odd in that—you’ve got two.
The man shakes Murasaki off and starts to go. Murasaki runs after him.
For their sisters women divers fish for bream for their sisters women
divers draw in their nets they are so dear they are so dear.
MURASAKI: I’m not missing anything. When we’re doing it. . . .
THIRD MAN: You certainly aren’t missing anything— you’re beautiful.
(He clasps her to him suddenly, without thinking, then hesitates.) You’re a
Heike prostitute aren’t you?
MURASAKI:Yes. After the Heike clan was defeated at Yashima, when
everyone was escaping—1 was left behind at the harbor in Tomo. . . .
THIRD MAN: How old were you then?
MURASAKi:Why—I must have been. . . . (She thinks.)
