The Pearl Chapter 4: Greed

Scene 1: Setting : La Paz

That day was beautiful. A crowd gathered in the town for a solemn procession. This was a day that
everyone would remember. Today Kino would sell the Pearl. The Pearl of the world, the most
amazing Pearl. It was a lovely day, but in the midst of all that loveliness, there was a darkness, a
creeping darkness flying across the sky.

Enter Kino, accompanied by Juan Tomas and Juana. Kino is wearing shabby but neat clothes. Juana
has plain clothes, and carries Coyotito in a shawl. Juan is smartly dressed, but looks plain. They walk
and stop in front of the Pearl Buyer #1’s office. Kino hesitates and reaches inside his pocket for the
Pearl. He gives a smile of relief and knocks the door.

Inside, PB#1 is sitting at his desk. On his desk are some papers which are strewn about neatly (books
can be used). He sits there, bored. He takes up a pen and toys around with it. He hears the knock at
the door but sits there, playing his pen.

Outside, Kino pauses and waits. Juan walks to him. They begin to talk.

Juan: Kino, you must be careful. Very careful. They are white men and will look down upon us.

Kino: I will. (motions to the audience) The crowd is here today to witness me selling the pearl.
Surely they would not dare to cheat me?

Juana: But still, Kino, be wary.

Kino: I know, Juana. Look at Coyotito. Look at him. He is smiling. He sees our future. He sees all.
(Turns back to the door and knocks rather angrily)

Inside, PB#1 rises and opens the door. He looks at Kino and mumbles a welcome. He goes back to his
desk and pretends to be interested.

PB#1: Good morning. What can I do for you?

Kino and Juan take a seat opposite the PB#1. Juana stands, hushing Coyotito. She gives a brief look
of annoyance but hides it.

Kino: I have a Pearl. (Juan snorts)

PB#1: Everyone who has entered here has one pearl or a dozen. Come, show me the Pearl, and I
will see for myself.

Kino reaches into his pocket and takes out the Pearl, wrapped in cloth. PB#1’s face remains
unchanged, but the pen is dropped to the floor. He composes himself and picks up the pen. PB#1
takes the Pearl and inspects it. He rolls the Pearl around and finally puts it down after a minute. He
gives a contemptuous smile at Kino.

PB#1: Sorry, friend. (raising shoulders) It’s worthless.

PB#1: No, no, no! On the contrary, this is a deformed abomination. Some museum might take it
though. I can give you, (deep thinking) a thousand pesos.

Kino: (Stands up. Bangs table. His face becomes dangerous.) It is worth fifty thousand.

PB#1: (Shivering in fear) Don’t blame me! Ask the others! Let them come here! Now!

Scene2: Setting: PB#1’s office

PB#1 sits there trembling. He is waiting for the others to come. He is afraid of Kino. Kino sits there
quietly, in conflict. He looks at the Pearl and at Juana. The song of Evil hummed in his ears. He gives
another look at the Pearl and touches it. He shrinks back and continues to sit there, fixed at the
Pearl. A knock is heard at the door. Enter the other 2 pearl buyers.

PB#2 is a female dressed in neat clothes. She is frail and small, with a shy soft voice. She has
eyeglasses on, a proof of her shyness. PB#3 is another female buyer, but with a suave and calm
attitude. She dresses neatly and has a professional feel.

PB#1: (Dry tone, pushing the pearl away) I’m sorry, but I cannot make any offer.

PB#2: (Taking out a magnifying glass) Mr, Look at this. Look at the surface of the pearl. ( Holding
both pearl and magnifying glass). Better pearls are made of paste. And yes, this is a fine
pearl. So it will lose its colour and die within a few weeks. Look again.

Kino: What? This is impossible…..(voice trailing off)

PB#2: Yes, it is paste. My friend, (pointing at PB#1) was right. This is an abnormal Pearl.

PB#3: (Yawning and snatching the pearl. Disinterested. She scrutinizes it carefully) One of my
clients likes such things. 500 pesos. That’s my offer.

Kino: (Snatching the Pearl, angry) I am cheated. (Stands up) I shall leave. This is no place for my
pearl to be sold.

PB#1: (Panic) What about one thousand and five hundred? A thousand five? Si?

Kino: I don’t want a single centavo, filth. (Curses). I will only take 5000 Pesos. No less.

Juana: But Kino, 1500 is….and we have nothing….

Juan: Shush, my sister in law. He needs to think.

Scene 3: Setting: Kino’s House

Kino, Juana and Juan are sitting in Kino’s house. The Pearl is on a table. All three of them daren’t
touch the Pearl. Kino is conflicted. He turns around, looking at Coyotito, his house and
everything. Finally he stands up and grabs the Pearl. He buries it and returns to his seat.
There is a moment of silence, broken by Kino.
Kino: Brother, what else could I do? They are cheats.

Juan: (Nodding) It’s hard to know. We have been cheated from birth and we will continue this
cycle. But we survive. You have defied everything. I am afraid for you.

Kino: What else do I have to fear?

Juan: I don’t know. But I am afraid.

Kino: What can I do? Something is going on here. An outrage. A deep outrage. I hate it! Hate it!
(slams table)

Juan: Kino, I only have these words to say: Go with God.

Kino: (looking down) Go with God.