AMANDA [delicately]: —Yes—Jim?

JIM: Laura and I would like to go out for a walk, if you don’t mind.

AMANDA: I? Mind? [She laughs delicately.] On such a lovely spring evening? What could be nicer! You children do just as you please. I want so much to see young people—happy!

JIM [still a little bewildered by what has occurred]: Well, I—would you like to? [Turning shyly to Laura.]

LAURA: Oh!—Why—what could be nicer?

AMANDA [appearing in the portieres, wisely and benevolently smiling and smiling]: The park is only a couple of blocks from here. Don’t go in far, but the moon will make it lovely!

JIM: Let’s do that then, why that’s a—swell idea! [He starts to the door. Returns to snatch up his coat.]

AMANDA: Oh, yes, your coat and— Don’t you think that Laura needs a wrap?

JIM: I don’t think so.

LAURA [still looking at Jim with wonder]: No, no! I won’t need any!

AMANDA [slyly, the eternal procuress emerging]: That light thin dress? That summer dress she’s wearing?

LAURA: I won’t need any! Honest, mother, I won’t!

JIM: She won’t need any! Honest Mrs. Wingfield! Let’s go, Laura.

AMANDA: All right, then. You children run along. I’ll leave the door open for you, but—don’t be later than—midnight! [They are into the outside hall. Amanda crosses softly to the door and closes it noiselessly behind them. She catches her breath and crosses to the window. Raises the blind and separates the curtains. Tom comes in.]

TOM: Where are they now?

AMANDA [her voice low and musical]: Gone for a walk.

TOM: Yeah?

AMANDA: The young man’s—already kissed her!

TOM: —Huh?

AMANDA: Yes! [Amanda breaks into delicate girlish laughter. It ends on a high, triumphant note.]

TOM: I declare—you’re a witch!

AMANDA: But I was a girl. [Crossing slowly to the portieres.] Girls are a pretty trap! That’s what they’ve always been, and will always be, even when dreams plus action—take over the world! Now—now, dreamy type— Let’s finish the dishes!

THE CURTAIN FALLS. THE END.

Interior: Panic

INTERIOR: PANIC

(A ONE-ACT PLAY)

Interior: Panic was first performed at the Tennesssee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival on March 18, 2005, with four other Williams one-acts under the collective title Tennessee in the Quarter. It was directed by Perry Martin; set design was by Chad Talkington; the lighting design was by David Guidry; the costume design was by Trish McLain; and Elizabeth Barron was the Executive Producer. The cast, in order of appearance, was as follows:

The set is in the interior of a shotgun cottage in a poor section of New Orleans.

We are seeing it through the eyes of a person in a state of panic.