Hecuba, Hector and others in “Unfinished Business”

Priam, he's coming. You need to talk to him.

[to Hecuba] Tell her, tell her what you did!

I already know-

I want you to hear it from them.

What is this? Get her out of here.

Don't move, Cassandra. Will you speak, or shall I?

And say what?

You sent your newborn son to his death. You told your other children that wolves stole him, forced your wife to play along. Luckily, the man you employed for the task disobeyed your command. That is the only reason Alexander's still alive! Because a simple shepherd had a heart you never did.

I did what I thought was best for the city. I don't have to apologize to you, or anyone for that!

[Indicates Cassandra] What about her? She had a vision that Alexander would burn the city to the ground, that black blood would flow in the streets! You told her she was mad! [Priam looks guilty] You locked her up! You told me my sister was disturbed, that I couldn't see her, that she needed constant care?! That she shouldn't be allowed out to play, like other children! [pause] She was seven years old.

I don't want to be in here-

Stay where you are, Cassandra. When Alexander came back, you lied again.

To save his life.

You lied, and you lied, and now you hide away in your room like a child!

To save his life.

What kind of coward are you?

Please, let me go! [she tries to flee, Andromache stops her]

Let her go, Hector. [Andromache releases Cassandra, who leaves the room] ...Your father didn't force me. What we did, we did together.

Are you saying you gave away your son voluntarily? [Hecuba looks tearful] You lied to your children!

Well, you lied, too. You met Litos in Cilicia. He warned you to stop Alexander from returning.

Yes. I did meet Litos. Perhaps, I should have obeyed him. I had the chance, and I failed. [pause] I'm telling Pandarus to call off the search for Alexander.

What? But the Greeks will find him; you know what they'll do to him-

The Gods have been clear. He cannot be in Troy.

He's your blood.

The risk is too great. I'm sorry. [to Priam] I'm taking over the running of the city now. I think it's for the best, don't you?