talo

LUCASTA.
His daughter. Oh, it`s a sordid story.
I hated my mother. I never could see
How Claude had ever liked her. Oh, that childhood -
Always living in seedy lodgings
And being turned out when the neighbours complained.
Oh of course Claude gave her money, a regular allowance;
But it wouldn't have mattered how much he'd given her:
It was always spent before the end of the quarter
On gin and betting, I should guess.
And I knew how she supplemented her income
When I was sent out. I've been locked in a cupboard!
I was only eight years old
When she died of an "accidental overdose".
Then Claude took me over. That was lucky.
But I was old enough to remember.....too much.LUCASTA.
I'm Claude`s daughter, there's no doubt of that.
I'm sure he wished there had been. He's been good to me
In his way. But I'm always a reminder to him
Of something he would prefer to forget
( A pause)
But why don't you say something? Are you shocked?
...