Thank You
A Play
The New Student · The First Student · The Caretaker · Napoleon
(The paddock on the grounds of the Institute. A bright morning. Veritata, a bay mare, is tied to a post. The New Student is brushing her. The First Student leans on the fence.)
The First Student
She is calm today.
The New Student
She knows me now.
The First Student
She knows your hand.
(The New Student continues to brush. The First Student watches.)
(The Caretaker approaches with Napoleon beside her. She holds his arm lightly.)
The Caretaker
Good morning.
The New Student
Good morning.
The First Student
Good morning.
Napoleon
What a beautiful horse.
The New Student
She is, isn't she?
Napoleon
She most certainly is. Would you grant me the favor of a ride?
The New Student
Of course.
Napoleon
Splendid.
(The Caretaker leads Napoleon to the horse. She holds the bridle. She helps him into the saddle, slowly, carefully. Napoleon adjusts himself. He takes the reins.)
Napoleon
Off we go.
(He clicks softly. The horse moves off at a walk, then a trot. They head out across the meadow.)
The Caretaker
She has a good gait.
The New Student
She does.
(A pause.)
The New Student
(looking at The Caretaker)
Thank you. For everything.
(The Caretaker glances at the First Student, then turns to the New Student.)
The Caretaker
Of course, dear.
(The Caretaker turns back to the meadow.)
The Caretaker
He sits well on her.
The New Student
He does.
(They watch. Napoleon is small in the distance now.)
The Caretaker
This will do him good.
The New Student
I'm so relieved that he's fully recovered.
The Caretaker
It was a really bad infection. I worried.
(A pause.)
The Caretaker
And prayed.
The First Student
I am always praying for my loved ones.
The Caretaker
(looking straight into his eyes)
And so you should.
The New Student
I used to pray as a child.
The Caretaker
You might want to get back into the habit.
The New Student
I shall, Ma'am.
(The Caretaker smiles at The New Student, then looks at the First Student, still smiling. The First Student turns towards the meadow.)
The First Student
Look, he's coming back.
(They all watch Napoleon on the horse coming closer again. After a while, he is back at the paddock.)
Napoleon
That felt like the good old times.
(The Caretaker helps him down. He stands for a moment with one hand on the horse's neck.)
Napoleon
(turning to the New Student)
You have a fine animal.
The New Student
I do. And any time really, please.
(The Caretaker offers Napoleon her arm. He takes it.)
The Caretaker
Shall we go in?
Napoleon
Let's.
(They walk slowly back along the path toward the villa. The two students remain at the paddock. The horse is still.)
(A pause.)
The New Student
Shall we put her back?
The First Student
In a minute.
(They stand by the horse.)