Scene 2
GERDA
Soon, winter was over, and with the spring came sunshine and soft breezes. Green shoots peeped out of the ground,
KAI
...and the sparrows built their nests.
KAI & GERDA
Then it was summer, and roses bloomed everywhere.
GERDA
That's a speckled brown sparrow. And that's a yellow breasted wren.
And...
KAI
That's a robin red breast. I saw one the other day.
GERDA
A real one? Oh, you're teasing me.
KAI
Right up there near the chimney. (sound of glass/thunder) Oh, I've got something in my eye.
GERDA
Let me see. I'll get it out. (she looks) I don't see anything.
KAI
I think it's gone. It must have been a cinder. (glass/thunder sound)
KAI
Oww. Something hit my chest.
GERDA
Did you hear that?
KAI
What?
GERDA
That noise. Like thunder.
KAI
Gerda, don't be so stupid. There wouldn't be thunder with the sun blazing like this. I'm hot. I hate the sun.
GERDA
You can't hate the sun.
KAI
I can hate anything I want. Including you. Stupid.
GERDA
Kai! What's wrong?
KAI
Look at this rose. It's all wormeaten. And that one's lopsided. They're ugly. (He stomps them on the ground)
GERDA
Kai! Quit it!
KAI
Stop yelling. You sound like a fishwife. Anyway, what do you care? They're my roses. It's my roof. I can do anything I want to with them.
GERDA
Kai! What's wrong with you?
KAI
Are you crying about these stupid roses? Stop it. You look ugly when you cry. Your nose is running. Go in the house and blow your nose. It's disgusting.
GERDA
Gerda had no idea what had happened to Kai to make him change so. In the months that follow Kai treated Gerda terribly.
Gerda practices her flute. Kai examines a leaf sullenly.
KAI
Will you stop making that screeching noise?
GERDA
I have to practice.
KAI
Why? You don't have any talent. You'll never be able to do it right.
GERDA
I will if I practice everyday.
KAI
Well, do it when I'm not around.
GERDA
(putting down her flute patiently) You want to read this book about animals in Africa.
KAI
What do I care about Africa?
GERDA
What do you care about anything?
KAI
What? I didn't hear you.
GERDA
I said, what do you care about anything? Grandmother says you're just going through a phase, and I should be patient. I'm trying to be patient.
KAI
(mimics and tries to humiliate Gerda. Physical actions too) "I'm trying to be patient." "I'm trying to be patient." Little miss perfect Gerda. She's "trying to be patient." Her knowitall old Grandmother says "He's just going through a phase, and you should try to be patient."
GERDA
Stop it, Kai.
KAI
Ohhh is that a little tear? She treats us like babies.
GERDA
She loves us!
KAI
(Imitating Grandmother) "Ohhh, children, let's bake some cookies. Now, if you are good little children, I'll tell you a story." Where are you going? Gerda, where are you going?
GERDA
Home. You're no fun anymore, Kai, and I'm tired of your sulking and being so hateful. It hurts my feelings. I'm sorry if you're bored and unhappy, but you don't have to take it out on me.
She heads off.
KAI
I hate it when you act like that.
GERDA
(as she's off) I hate it too.
KAI
I'm going to the toboggan race with the other boys. I'll tie my toboggan to the fastest sleigh and go around the sharpest corners.