Agnes of God

A soprano voice is heard in darkness. Dr. Martha Livingstone appears alone and begins to speak. She recalls her childhood experiences watching the film Camille starring Greta Garbo. She explains that she saw the film multiple times and, each time, believed that the ending might change, hoping the character would survive rather than die. She describes her expectation that an alternate version of the film might exist in which the tragic outcome is avoided. She states that she continues to believe in the possibility of alternate endings. She wants “to believe that somewhere, somehow, there is a happy ending for every story” (7).

After a pause, Doctor Livingstone shifts to the present case. She describes the discovery of a dead infant found in a wastepaper basket, with the umbilical cord tied around its neck. She explains that the mother of the child was discovered nearby, unconscious and suffering from severe blood loss. The woman was subsequently charged with manslaughter and brought to trial.

Doctor Livingstone identifies herself as the court-appointed psychiatrist assigned to evaluate the accused woman’s mental state and determine whether she is legally sane. She states that her role is to assess the defendant in preparation for the legal proceedings.