Pearl (2022)

Tandi Wright: Ruth

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Quotes 

• Pearl : [after Ruth pulls out the film program]  How did you find that?

  Ruth : I'm not blind to what goes around here. Take your dinner and stay in the bunkhouse.

  Pearl : But it's freezing out there!

  Ruth : You should've thought of that before putting me at risk. Isolate yourself until we know you're not ill. That is what's right.

  Pearl : There's that dance audition in town tomorrow. I'm going on it.

  Ruth : No, you're not.

  Pearl : Yes, i am.

  Ruth : Why?

  Pearl : To find out if i'm good enough?

  Ruth : Good enough for what, Pearl?

  Pearl : Something more than this?

  Ruth : Where does all this ungratefulness stem from? How is it that you find our lives so beneath you? You always had a roof over your head, food in your belly. Do you not think that it came at great sacrifice for your father and i? Or do you think we are beneath you too?

  Pearl : If i meant to live out the rest of my days with you and daddy on this farm, then so be it, but i'm *only* young once! If i go to this audition and i don't get picked, then i'll come home and i'll NEVER speak of it again, i swear. But i *have* to know that i tried, or i'm going to regret it for the rest of my life. Please mama, you have no idea what i'm capable of!

  Ruth : Oh yes, i do. I've seen the things you've done - in private - when you believe that no one's watching. You think others won't notice? You can't keep your true self hidden forever, Pearl. They will notice eventually and they will be frightened, just as i am.

  Pearl : You're wrong.

  Ruth : Am i?

  Ruth : [chuckles in disbelief]  Then what a fine woman you hope to become, leaving your mother alone to rot so you can dance with a bunch of city whores. Let alone the illness you may contact and spread. You see what it does to your father? That's what you want for yourself and others? Then maybe that's what you wish for me?

  Pearl : Of course not.

  Ruth : [suddenly snaps]  STOP LYING! I can't stand the sound of it anymore. It's almost as abhorrent as your *sinful* behaviour!

  Ruth : [tears the program to shreds]  You are not well, Pearl! It's only a matter of time before you hurt someone else. Malevolence is festering in you, i see it. And i will not, in good conscience, let you leave this farm again.

  Pearl : You can't stop me.

  Ruth : Oh yes, i can. You don't know what i could do to you. I shoulder a burden that you'll never understand, spend my days feeding and wiping the snot off the face of the man i married. You *DARE* sit there and talk to me about regret? I was supposed to be his wife, not his mother! Don't you EVER speak that way to me again! Do you hear me?

  Pearl : I'm sorry...

  Ruth : NO, YOU'RE NOT! Or you would stop all this?

  Ruth : [grabs the knife off the table]  Here! Take it! That's what you really desire, isn't it? Perhaps i shall kill him for you? That way you won't have to care for him any longer. Would that suit your *selfish* dreams better? Then we both can go to the dance audition! Your husband is gone, so is mine! Why should be settled with caring for them or the work on this farm? WHAT ABOUT US GETTING WHAT WE WANT?

  Ruth : [slams the knife on the table] 

  Ruth : I won't suffer for you any longer. If you want to leave, go. But if you fail... and YOU will fail, i want you to remember what it feels like because that's how i feel every time i look at you. Nearly everything that i had has been taken from me, Pearl. What more do you want?

  Pearl : I just don't wanna end up like you, is all.

  Ruth : [Ruth approaches and slaps Pearl] 

  Pearl : [enraged]  I HATE YOU!

  Pearl : [Pearl slaps back and the two scuffle] 

  Ruth : You harlot! I won't let you flaunt your arrogance in my face! You're not better than me!

  Pearl : [pushes Ruth against the fireplace]  YES, I AM! I'M GONNA BE A STAR AND THE WHOLE WORLD'S GONNA KNOW MY NAME!