ACT ONE
Scene 1

And aged, skinny and blinded Oedipus is in a dreary room. He is sleeping in his bed. His hair tousled and a blood-stained bandage is wrapped around his eyes. He starts to mutter in his sleep


OEDIPUS
The cursed… Thebes … my.. father… Furies... AHHHH!
(Oedipus wakes up screaming in pain.)
He waves his arms in the air frantically and knocks over a vase which shatters into pieces)


ANTIGONE
(Antigone runs into the room and immediately rushes to Oedipus’ side.)
Father! Father!
(She holds his arms)


OEDIPUS
Antigone? Is that you?
(He says in a strained voice)


ANTIGONE
Yes, father. I am here. What is the matter?
(Her eyes are in tears. It hurts her to see her father like this)


OEDIPUS
The pain! My eyes! It burns!
( He starts to rip off the bandage)


ANTIGONE
No Father! You must endure. I will not let you destroy yourself. Please, try to relax.
(She stops him by holding his arm.)


OEDIPUS
I cannot sleep. I cannot eat. I cannot…. The Furies… they will come.
(He is now crying.)

ANTIGONE
I will protect you. I will be here while you sleep. I will be here when you eat. You shall never be alone as long as I am breathing. I love you, my father.
(She soothes him by stroking his hair and kisses him on the forehead. She lowers him gently and covers him with blanket.)

OEDIPUS
You will be here… with me?

ANTIGONE
Yes, I will. I always will.



ACT ONE
Scene 2
It is now morning. Oedipus seats on a chair outside; he is now fully awake. Inside the room, Antigone is cleaning up the shattered pieces of the vase.


ANTIGONE
(She is kneeling picking up the broken glass piece by piece. It is clear that she has never done this before. She accidentally cuts herself and lets out a faint cry.)
Ouch!..
(She quiets herself, afraid that Oedipus will here)


OEDIPUS
Are you hurt, my child?
(He stands up. His hearing is bright, ever since his loss of vision)


ANTIGONE
(Antigone grimaces as her blood covers the floor. The cut is quite deep.)
Oh! It’s nothing father! You always worry too much! I’m not a little girl anymore, you know
(She says with a fake cheerful tone as she grabs a towel and wraps it around her hand)

OEDIPUS
(He is furious now, he knows that she is lying.)
I wish you would listen, Antigone! You mustn’t be so stubborn. I told you that you are too young, too weak to take care of me alone. Please call back the servants form the palace. They will be honored to serve the future queen of Thebes.

ANTIGONE
(She walks towards Oepidus.)
I can’t stand those servants! They do everything wrong, and they are no use. I can manage the things around here just fine enough. And besides..
(She thinks of the servants pointing fingers at Oedipus. She can imagine the gossip of the town of her blinded father)

OEDIPUS
Yes? Besides what?

ANTIGONE
Besides…I… um .. don’t like Haemon
(She stammers and thinks of an excuse)


OEDIPUS
And why is that?
(He is now amused and curious)


ANTIGONE
He is too dependent on his father. A man must be independent and strong. He is also too persuasive. He does not stick to his principles. He is too easily wavered and most importantly
(She kneels in front of Oedipus and kisses his hands.)
… he is not handsome is you

OEDIPUS
Oh!! Hahahah!
(He laughs at this.)
What are we to do with you, Antigone! My angel!


ANTIGONE
Well, as for now, you highness your angel would like to go to the market.
(She stands up)
OEDIPUS
Alone! Nonsense! I shall not permit you! Antigone! I forbid you!

ANTIGONE
Do not worry father! I shall bring little Hera with me.
(She leaves.)


ACT ONE
Scene 3
Antigone is the market, alone. Thankfully, no one seems to recognize her. She is dressed in plain clothing and is heading toward the pharmacy.


ANTIGONE
Hello. Is anyone there?


PHARMIST
Hello there. I assume you have money?
(He looks at her up and down and it seems obvious to him that she is poor)

ANTIGONE

Ah yes, yes I do!
(She says in a flustered way)


PHARMIST
(His eyes narrow)
Well, then. In that case, Welcome! What can I get for you today?

ANTIGONE
I’m looking for medicine for the eye.

PHARMIST
Ah! Something that improves vision?
(He holds up a can with a bag of dried blueberries.)

ANTIGONE
No… Something that soothes.. um..
(She can’t find the word)

PHARMIST
Or something that rids you of all wrinkles!
(He holds up a can of creamy colored jell)

ANTIGONE
No. It is for my father. His eyes are. hurt. They were …stabbed. It gives him much pain.
(She looks down as she says this.)

PHARMIST
I see. Well, for that, this is the best!
(He holds up a pysix (ancient greek small tin cylinder) of green cream)

ANTIGONE
Thank you
(She pays and leaves the store)

(She goes through the market, buying clothes and food. She thinks of how much stronger she need to get. She thinks of how as long as she lives she wants to protect her father.)