The Train Driver and Other Plays

So then if it wasn't me, then who was it? God? That's right. Because there was only God and me seeing how it happened. We were the only other ones who saw the look in her eyes, saw the baby's head peeping over her shoulder! So if it wasn't me, was it Him? God Almighty, who was stupid enough to make this bloody world in seven days. Yes. Miss Conradie. Stupid. Because I certainly wouldn't. But as it so happens, Miss Conradie, God was only a witness, because it was Roelf Visagie who was tramping down so hard on the brake so that the wheels was screeching on the tracks. It was Roelf Visagie not God there in the cab screaming to her to get out of the fucking way.

“She was very sick just before she dies so she always ask me to sit with her and sing. She also tell me I got good voice for singing. But when I sing always she cries. Even with the happy songs. ‘Grandma,' I ask, ‘why you cry?' She just shake her head and tell me: ‘Go to America, my carino. Is no good in Mexico now. When you are big go to America.'

HENRY: I get it now. When I first walked in here last Christmas and you saw another borracho perdido... and you saw Roberto. Right?
ADELA (Again defensively): Sí... because I no like borracho perdido.
HENRY: Relax, Adela. Nobody does.

HENRY: There... gouged out in the tarmac surface in front of one of the parking bays, and obviously intended for the car and its occupants that had been parked there, was the Star of David... Do you know what that is, Adela?
(He goes to the chalkboard menu, wipes away what was written, then takes a piece of chalk and draws the Star of David.)
ADELA: (Reluctantly nodding) Sí.
HENRY: And next to it, gouged out with the same precise and vicious determination, were three words.
(He writes on the menu chalkboard. “Fuck You Jew.” He does not speak them. Nobody in this play speaks them.)”

HENRY: Forgive me. Please forgive me.
SOLLY (Nodding his head slowly.) Of course I forgive you. What did you do?
HENRY: I hated you.
SOLLY: I know. (Pause. They look unflinchingly into each other's eyes.) But why?
HENRY: You were ugly... you were a Jew...
SOLLY: I still am.

I knew it for what it was and it was mine. I wasn't going to touch it with words. All I can tell you for sure is that the journey from hate to love was the shortest one my heart has ever made.