

America Finding Her Way

A Trilogy of Plays

by

Karen Sunde

Copyright: Karen Sunde

Smashwords Edition

For all rights to perform these plays, apply to:

Karen Sunde

130 Barrow St. Suite 412

New York , NY 10014

212/366-1124

karensunde.com@gmail.com

www.karensunde.com

CONTENTS

SWEET LAND OF FIRE

Rebellion. New York, 1970: the 24 hours before the "Weatherman house" on 11th street explodes. ACT TWO

NATIVE LAND

Rejuvenation. The rebirth of a family to serve their nation by following their delinquent child's dreams. ACT TWO

TRACKING BLOOD WHITE

Making magic in America, now: A dying red-neck town's struggle with its Native American neighbors and the killer bear that haunts the mountain they share. ACT TWO

Plays by Karen Sunde

Screenplays by Karen Sunde

TAGS: bear hunting, urban renewal, Viet Nam protesters, homelessness, New York terrorism, 1960's radicals, Weathermen, Black Panthers, Fred Hampton, bomb building, civil rights, Native American, healer, shaman, mysticism, sacred mountain, reservation, red-neck town

PRODUCTION HISTORY

SWEET LAND OF FIRE has had readings in New York –at Ensemble Studio Theatre as Day Before Noon, at Abingdon Theatre Company as The Flower's Last Child, and as Sweet Land Of Fire in a Concert Reading at La MaMa E.T.C.

NATIVE LAND was commissioned by Michael Miner at Actor's Theater of St. Paul, has had readings at Ensemble Studio Theatre, New York as House Of Eeyore, and as Native Land in a staged reading at Actors Stock Company/New York.

TRACKING BLOOD WHITE was commissioned by Ken Marini for the Cheltenham Center For The Arts, PA, and workshopped there as Daddy's Gone A-Hunting. A series of concert readings were produced by Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey. The Lark Play Development Center, New York presented it as a staged reading during their Playwright's Week. La MaMa ETC, New York, did the first concert reading of Tracking Blood White

Sweet Land of Fire

the action

based on a real event

is fiction

New York, 1970. The 24 hours before the house on 11th street in Greenwich Village explodes.

SET: One open set skeletal steps represent New York brownstone, with landing levels.

CHARACTERS: All 21- 30 years

BETH Weatherman, gentle, alienated – anthropologist

ANNE Weatherman, glamorous, fierce leader – lawyer

DAVE former SDS activist, witty, Jewish – physician

SUZY Beth's sister, Midwestern honey – bride

JACK Weatherman, charismatic, macho – architectural engineer

DAMON Black Panther, ferocious, clear-eyed – lawyer

Sweet Land of Fire

Preset: Shafts of sunlight across debris strewn set. Center, a winding staircase reaching full height of stage. It has perches at different levels on the way up. Elegant items suspended in air chandelier, painting, mirror, drapery create beauty of the brownstone house.

Pre-audio: Bob Dylan's "When The Ship Comes In," punctuated by newscasts about Weathermen riots, demonstrations, and rallies.

Sunlight brightens. Music gives way to newscast reporting of solar eclipse: "Hundreds of thousands lining highways and beaches...etc." Lights perform eclipse as newscaster rattles on. Darkening, strange colors. At totality, a siren.

Firemen wearily enter, begin shifting and examining debris. They set a refrigerator upright near staircase. From behind it, Anne scampers in only shreds of clothing. Firemen catch and envelope her in a blanket. The last items they find on "cellar" level are body parts: torso, arm and leg pieces. These they place on a stretcher they carry out as sun and sky return to normal.

Scene blends back to day before; from behind the debris, way back, like a resurrection, comes the ragged figure of Beth: in jeans, sweatshirt, tennis shoes, chopped hair, wire-frame glasses. She is smiling, carrying a paper bag, feels light, released, seems giddy.

Beth: "Now is the winter of our dis con tent..." (Looks up at staircase, "House") Anne, it's beautiful: "...made glorious summer."

Anne: (Approaches over rubble, clothed, graceful, strong) What did you expect?

Beth: "And all the clouds..." But it is, it's really just beautiful.

Anne: Come. I'll show you. (Approaches stairs)

Beth: A town house?

Anne: My father's grandfather's.

Beth: (Still staring) Built straight up.

Anne: (Climbs) Was Mother who understood it, though. Come on. She brought all the colors out of the wood. (Gestures to Beth to follow her) Belle tried to keep me from sliding these banisters. Your flight late from Newark?

Beth: (Following) Yeah.

Anne: Brace yourself for the city?

Beth: Yup. My mantra is "roar, mobs, roaches, dogshit..."

Anne: (Laughing) ...and pig-mobiles! Does it help?

(Anne arrives at bird figurines room; Beth behind her. There may be one bird, several, or none)

Beth: Ooooh, Anne. (Gazing) Birds.

Anne: Ummhmm.

Beth: There must be a hundred. All kinds, colors. Even metal and gold. It's...

Anne: "Immense strength in fragility," Daddy says. His remaining shred of poetic vision.

Beth: They're his?

Anne: He can't understand how something so delicate has so much strength to lift itself so far.

Beth: So he fills a whole room with birds, while over on East Third...

Anne: You got it.

Beth: ...there's maybe one room for seven people. (Tight) Have you got the stuff?

Anne: (Looks, then quickly) Not yet. (Turns, climbing) Come on. Have a shower.

Beth: Could use one. (Following) How many floors you got, anyway?

Anne: (Ahead of her) How was the wedding?

Beth: A wedding. Like my worst nightmare.

Anne: Your sister?

Beth: Completely straight. If I gave her an apron, she'd drool.

Anne: You behaved.

Beth: Of course.

Anne: It's good you went.

Beth: Nobody asked why I cried.

Anne: (Handing her a towel) Gives the impression we're cooling it. Home and apple pie.

Beth: (Stepping into shower) Not bringing the stuff here, are you.

Anne: (Sits on step) Course not. Getting the house is luck. Dad and Irene are in Paris.

Beth: (Off) Vacationing?

Anne: No, he's deciding whether the jet-set can afford a 1000 MPH shuttle. Vision, but not poetry.

Beth: (Off) I'll save him the trip: they'll afford whatever they want. But your mother...?

Anne: ...never comes here anymore. She's with Peter, who's appealing, even honorable, for an attorney. They're fishing in Maine. (Beat) Ned brought over a couple new pieces.

Beth: (Off) What kind?

Anne: A 22 and a 16-gauge. With ammunition. Said they'd need an overhaul. Not fired since duck season in '63.

Beth: (Off) The seven lean years since he went pacifist?

Anne: Right on.

Beth: (Off) I'll check 'em out right away.

Anne: Not before you've rested.

Beth: (Off) You been keeping in practice?

Anne: Three times a week.

(Dave is coming across the debris to the bottom of the steps)

Dave: Hey, is this what it's going to be like after the revolution? Dumbwaiters on every floor?

Anne: Not a chance.

Dave: (Climbing) Some scene. Satin valances, Louis-the-whatever dining set...

Anne: Knock it off, Dave.

Dave: Sure beats my front porch barbecue in Queens. And do I see...yup: a fairytale garden out back.

Anne: Oh, I just whipped this up to ease Beth's re-entry to the jungle.

Dave: Beth's here too?

Anne: Back from Kansas.

Dave: (Sings) "Oh, give me a home...where Papa owns land, and Mama the First National Bank." You aren't worried she'll get culture shock when she figures out where they keep the kitchen in these palaces?

Beth: (Coming out wet, fastening clothes) Where? (Kisses him) Hi, Dave.

Dave: Not only below-stairs, below ground. That's where the women and slaves consort. (Squeezes her) How's it going, Madonna?

Beth: Where've you been? You finish pre-med?

Dave: Mais, bien sur!

Anne: Ned found him. (Showing bedroom) Here's where I'll put you.

Beth: (Looking at elegant room) God, no.

Dave: Oh, why not. Chippendale rocker, soothing Matisse or two. The four-poster's wasted, Anne. She'll sleep on the floor.

Anne: She will not. She'll rest and get strong. That's how we need her.

Dave: R n'R for the troops, huh? Dig it. Just see you wake her in time for the eclipse.

Beth: What eclipse?

Dave: In exactly...24 hours: "I will cause the sun to go down at noon and darken the earth in the clear day." Is it a date, Madonna?

Anne: (Holding Beth's paper bag) Is this all you've got?

Beth: I left a few books on East Third. You didn't blow that place, did you?

Anne: Hanging onto it. Ned's still there with Barton and Josy.

(All three start down the stairs. Beth lags behind at the bird room)

Dave: Big Ned, California's answer to Ivy League frigidity? Are you and he still, uh...

Anne: Don't be retarded, David. We're grownups.

Dave: Does that mean "no?"

Anne: It means no today, maybe tomorrow. Relative and irrelevant.

(They arrive at kitchen. She signals him to sit at the table)

Dave: Ok, Gorgeous. I'm at your command. What'll it be?

Anne: Just that.

Dave: What?

Anne: We want you.

Dave: My bod. My fantastic bod. I knew the day would come. My relevance would be apparent. Or is it my station wagon you want?

Anne: The package, Davey. Brains included.

Dave: There you touch on my virtue. The brain's mine alone, virgin pure.

Anne: And just as useless. (Opens refrigerator, calls) Beth!

(Above, Beth is reaching to touch a bird. Dave picks up guitar, tunes it)

Beth: (Calling down stairs) Yeah?

Anne: (Calls, puts water to boil) You want some orange in yogurt?

Beth: (Leaving the bird, starts down stairs) Sure. Anything.

Dave: Look. When SDS split I decided to stop being bossed by all you hot-headed egotists. I might as well be Nixon's bombardier over Cambodia.

(Dave begins playing "The Times, They Are A-Changing)

Anne: Didn't Psych teach you hot-heads are a corollary to action? What's the alternative? You – lone egotist consulting his navel? What have you dug out of that grimy crevice?

Dave: I have comrades.

Anne: Marshmallow liberals with half-assed "improvement" projects and carpeted bathrooms. People are dying in our name every minute. What are you doing to stop it? (Beat) You need our grit.

Dave: (Strums defiantly The best minds, the most grit?

Anne: The best. That's why we want you.

Beth: (Arriving in kitchen) Maya's first word to me was "bird."

Anne: Maya...in Guatemala?

Beth: I found her crouching over a chick that had fallen. Her little face was so intent, she forgot to be afraid. She had responsibility. She looked up in a motherly conspiracy, and whispered: "Ave."

Dave: (Hand out to Beth) Ease on over here, sweet bird. This Mama's coming down hard on me.

Beth: (Sliding next to Dave) Don't stop. Sing it.

(Simultaneously, Anne sets out herb tea and yogurt, while Dave plays, sings, and dialogue continues)

Beth: That's good. Thanks.

Dave: (Sings) Come gather round people wherever you roam. And admit that the waters around you have grown...

Anne: Want some honey?

Dave ...And accept it that soon you'll be drenched to the bone. If your time to you is worth savin'...

Beth: No. Thanks. (Hugs Dave)

Dave: ...Then you better start swimming or you'll sink like a stone. For the times they are a changin'. (Ending song)

Beth: See? You didn't forget us.

Dave: Your Days-of-Rage action was a giant step backwards.

Anne: No argument.

Dave: All your trashing did was convince Mr. and Mrs. America you're out of your fucking minds.

Anne: Not quite all.

Beth: We've restructured.

Anne: We misjudged. It was too early for a mass action.

Beth: But it proved we're serious.

Dave: Take a bash at Chicago plate-glass Crushed cranium guaranteed.

Anne: It was a mistake!

Beth: So you were right to split, Dave, but you still care. (Beat) Or did you retire?

Dave: Where to, Angel? (Mock-sings) "How you gonna keep 'em down on the farm after they've seen...the South Bronx."

Anne: We want you back, Dave, and at the top.

Dave: How 'bout on top. With my pick of you two. That's how cell socializing works, isn't it?

Beth: It has to be mutual. But in your condition, you'd make the wrong pick.

Dave: Oh yes?

Beth: You'd pick me, but you'd want Anne.

Dave: Then why wouldn't I pick Anne?

Beth: Afraid for your masculinity.

Dave: Hoohoo! (Strums "Blowing in the Wind," challenged, he bites– ) So what do you want with the station wagon? I'm driving it down the shore tonight. Going to sit there and watch that sun rise up to black noon.

(Beth looks at Anne, comes back to table. Anne says quietly– )

Anne: There's a load of dynamite.

Dave: (Abrupt chord) Geez, you want me for an in-house physician!

Anne: No more shouting. No more kiddy riots...

Dave: Ooo, you'll make the 6 o'clock news now.

Anne: ...it's metaphoric language. What they understand.

Dave: Maybe I'll hire out to the CIA.

Anne: Will you make the pick up?

Beth: (Beat) He doesn't have to decide all at once.

Dave: (Looks at Beth. Pause) Where's the stuff.

Anne: It's ordered. At a construction place in Bridgeport. In the name Park Slope landscaping. (Beat) You pick up Barton from the Third Street place. They'd ask questions if a woman shows up to move it. Then deliver it back to Third Street.

Dave: Barton. The Green Beret Josy hooked, right? He knows how to handle the stuff?

Anne: Cool and dry. Just like you, Davey. That's all you need to know.

Dave: (Tension; looks at both intent women; stands) You sure can break into a man's nature walks. (Beat) One drive. I'll get the load, then I'm gone. I can't hack your lock-step crap.

Anne: You mean discipline? You never saw a decent army without it.

Dave: It's anti-thought.

Anne: We don't have time to play Hamlet. (Kisses Dave) Get the stuff.

Dave: (Stands, giving a half-salute) Royal Dames. Barton at East Third? You I see later.

Anne: Know what's kept you away, Davey? (Beat) You're scared.

Dave: (Stops as he exits) If that's true, I'm still thinking for myself.

(He flips them a grin and leaves. They stand watching him)

Beth: He's in.

Anne: Sticking his neck out, anyway.

Beth: Will you move him in here?

Anne: (Moves to pick up dishes) Yup. We figure five is optimum for a cell, six maximum. Soon as the training's set, Ned'll take off to lead the Denver cell.

Beth: (Moving to dishes) Here, I'll get that.

Anne: You sure? You look half dead. (Begins paper work) My study's perfect for communications to headquarter. Soon as Dave gets his head screwed on, I'll get him writing columns, press releases. It'll free me for organizational thinking.

(Suzy appears in dressing room (top level) as bride. She'll check her makeup, veil, and leave a bridesmaid's dress hanging)

Beth: What'd the Blacks say?

Anne: Hmm?

Beth: The Panthers. Did you offer to split the dynamite with them?

Anne: Gotta phone Fred Hampton in Chicago. Been trying to get through all morning.

Beth: He is superb – got the whole South Side organized.

Anne: They're drawn to him like a soft silver lightening rod. I want him to intercede. Blacks here won't touch us with a ten foot club.

Beth: Why? The briefs you wrote for Martin Luther King should be...

Anne: I don't talk about that. The King was a fool.

Beth: Oh. I thought you said he...

Anne: (Sharp) He's dead, isn't he. Walked right into it.

(Beth looks at Anne oddly; Anne concentrated in work)

Beth: My sister and I sang.

Anne: (Looks up at Beth) Go up for a nap. You're going to fall over.

Beth: Know what was the hardest thing? At home?

Anne: (Back at work) Uhmhmh?

(Beth speaks as she climbs. Anne will dial long distance several times and get no answer)

Beth: Their bewilderment. They look at me bewildered, and I look back, all the way to Guatemala. That's when I walked out of the circle of sweet Miss Americas so far that I could see it was a glass bubble in never-never land. But I'm still in isolation, and what I've seen has made me old. (Beat) In Guatemala they were just so...poor, it made me angry how much I had. I knew right away I'd live as they did – no electricity, no furniture, potatoes at night – not only so they'd trust me, but so I'd understand their life. My peers hated me. I worked too hard; I gave up too much; when I got sick they said I "willfully undermined the work." (Beat) When the Guatemalans rebelled just to get enough food, we petitioned, we begged, but the corruption... Even our own ambassador's tight face behind his air-conditioned window, the danger if he unrolled it, of a rush, an immersion in the heat of humanity. But oh my god, all these barriers are glass; they'll implode; they must! Because I'm in the dead space between panes unable to breathe with no strength to crash through, to free myself, and those on either side.

(Beth's speech has become "public," like a rally, but, in fact, she's climbed into a memory, and is startled, arriving suddenly in the dressing room. A dress hangs amid flower boxes, tissue, makeup. Beth looks at it doubtfully; Suzy, the bride, bursts in)

Suzy: Beth, Beth, Beth. I knew you'd come!

(Suzy embraces Beth, crunching her gown. Below, phone rings, Anne answers– )

Anne: Hello. ... What?

Suzy: You had to!

Beth: 'Course I did.

Anne: All right, Jack, I heard you: "Shut down".

Suzy: (Hugging Beth) Oooh, thank you!

Anne: Why? What happened? Jack?

Beth: I'm late, aren't I?

Suzy: They can't start without me.

(Below, Anne looks at receiver, unhooks the phone, sits alarmed)

Suzy: (Calls out) Beth is here! We'll come as soon as she's dressed.

Beth: (Looks skeptically at hanging dress) That's it?

Suzy: Yup. Chose it to go with your eyes. Mint green. The bridesmaids are pink.

Beth: (Hates it) Lovely.

Suzy: I hope it fits. You're so skinny now, I hate you. (Lifting dress)

Beth: Look, I better get a little...cleaned up before I put it on.

Suzy: In there's the wash room.

(Beth goes off. Suzy talks to her)

Suzy: Mom kept warning me not to count on you. Cause we hadn't heard, and couldn't find out where you were. Aunt Ramona's here. Remember when we broke off her rose bush, and hid in the garage loft scared to death?

Beth: (Off) You wouldn't come down till I promised I'd say I did it.

Suzy: And T-dore's here! He still adores you. And Mrs. Merchons from the choir. Beth, do you think... Could we sing?

Beth: (Re-entering with towel, carrying jeans, shirt) What would we do? "Side by Side?"

Suzy: I wanted us to do... Sit down. I'll lend you some makeup.

Beth: I don't want...

Suzy: Come on. You're pale as a ghost. (Leans to apply "blush") We could do something anyway. That's a good blush for you. See?

Beth: What do we still know?

Suzy: Here, this shadow'll match. You mean, what do we know that we can do in church.

Beth: (Applying shadow, eyes Suzy) Listen, are you sure about this?

Suzy: Ooooo, don't start. I got jitters.

Beth: It's a sideshow, Suzy.

Suzy: We've been playing wedding since we were three.

Beth: Since you were three. I was older.

Suzy: Don't you like Jeff?

Beth: Sure, but...

Suzy: How about "Open Our Eyes?"

(They giggle at irony of title. Suzy suddenly grabs Beth, holds her)

Suzy: I was so scared watching the news from Chicago that I'd see a cop smashing his club, and the bloody face would be yours.

Beth: (Holding her) I know.

Suzy: And Daddy just...

Beth: Hush. (Beat) "Open Our Eyes" is for Easter.

Suzy: (Recovering) Yeah... Maybe "God So Loved The World." That's sort of Christmas, but...

Beth: We don't know any wedding songs. (Beat) You're really going to do this?

Suzy: Sure. I'll just jump. (Test, singing– ) "God so loved the world..."

Beth: (Picking up hair brush) Jump?

Suzy: Shut my eyes and... Let me do your hair. (Takes brush, brushes Beth's hair)

Beth: ...hold your breath and jump. No wonder you're jittery.

Suzy/Beth: (Harmonizing on second line) "God so loved the world..." (Knock)

Suzy: Almost ready! You haven't even got enough hair for a ribbon.

Beth: (Singing) "...that he gave his only begotten son..." Leave it. (Stands) Better get this on. (Reaches for dress. Suzy helps her into it)

Suzy/Beth: (Fastening dress, they sing in harmony, unself-consciously, intent on dressing) "...that whoso believeth, believeth in him, should not perish, should not perish, but have everlasting life, everlasting, ev–er–la–asting life." (They face each other, testing pitch, holding hands)

Suzy: (Pulling Beth quickly off) Come on.

(Lights out above. Door bell. Anne sits mid-level, with paperwork. At bell, she's startled, looks down. Jack enters, at edge of stage, carrying wooden crate)

Anne: God. (Goes to meet Jack. When she's close, tense, low– ) Bringing it here?

Jack: Change of plan.

(Silent, Anne guides Jack over rubble and in to set crate on table. Then they look at each other across it, tension drops, a little laugh of relief)

Anne: Hi, Jack.

Jack: Good to see you. (Light kiss as they move back to door)

Anne: How come it's you?

(Jack is looking out at street, cautiously)

Anne: Why'd you order a shut down?

Jack: Anything strange happen?

Anne: No. But why did you...?

Jack: (As he leaves for another load) Tell you on the inside.

(As Jack goes, Dave enters with a crate, carefully stepping over rubble. Jack and Dave pass without a glance. Anne stands at door, waiting. Distance is long – "entry of dynamite" dynamic)

Dave: (Passing Anne) Like stealing a baby's rattle. Now, about my reward?

Anne: (Sharp, low) Button it; I've got neighbors. On the kitchen table. Carefully.

(Dave, chastened, sets down crate, hurries out. Jack enters with two crates)

Anne: (At door) Sure you can handle that much?

Jack: Yup. Got the terrain charted. (Sets down, exits as Dave enters) The sooner we're finished, the fewer see us.

(Anne shoots out ahead to carry in crates too. All three in and out. Jack out again. Dave coming behind Anne, now carrying two at once)

Dave: (Breathing a second) Where's Beth?

Anne: (Leaving) Sleeping. She's whacked from the wedding trip.

Dave: (As he exits) I'll bet.

Jack: (To Dave as they cross each other) This'll be it.

Dave: OK, I'll lock up.

(Jack inside, collapses, extremely on edge in spite of exhaustion, beside crates)

Anne: (Bringing her last crate) Rough?

Jack: Sure.

(Dave enters with last two crates. All in kitchen)

Dave: (Exploding) My god god god, look at that.

(Anne silent. They stand looking at crates, each aware of the danger)

Jack: Getting it was nothing, but thinking about what you've got... Like, one backfire on the bridge, and no more bridge.

Anne: Why did you go, Jack? And why come here?

Jack: (Hand on her arm to silence her) Wait.

(Anne frustrated, looks at Dave, realizing Jack may not want to speak in front of him. Beth above, dazed from sleep, starts down stairs)

Dave: Jack was really smooth. Walked in like he was an old salt.

Anne: You didn't ask how to use it?

Jack: Better to seem hip. I worked construction in high school.

Dave: He told them he needed the stuff to rip out some rotten old stumps. He was speaking truth. The man's wasted as an engineer; he's a fucking poet.

(Beth comes into Jack's view. He looks at her, startled. Seeing him has stopped her descent)

Anne: Stuff really turned you on, huh, Davey? (To Jack) This kid work out?

Dave: Did I pass the nerve test, you mean. (Notices Jack's look, then sees Beth) Oh. Didn't I tell you she's here? Pleasant dreams, princess?

Beth: Everything's happened without me. (Joins them, but ignores Jack)

Jack: Hello, Beth.

Anne: They just now got here.

Beth: This is it?

Dave: That's the stuff.

Beth: (Light laugh) Well. (Beat) Why'd you bring it here?

Dave: (Looking at them, uneasy) That's what I'd like to know.

Anne: (Glare at Jack, who avoids her) I gather the only answer is "Later?"

Beth: (Accepts the mystery, and– ) Can I see it?

Dave: Sure. (Moves, but stops) or...you know how to proceed, Maestro?

Jack: I do. (Moves to crate) We just have to be careful of sudden or sharp moves. (Opens crate, as they all look, he picks one up) This isn't a gun. If it's in your hand when it fires, there's no use aiming at the other guy. (He holds it toward Beth. She takes it from his hand) See how you have to trust your friend?

(She ignores his double entendre, hands it back. He puts it gently in the crate)

Dave: I was scared shitless when we loaded it in. But you know what? It made my head very clear, like a shot of oxygen; it dropped the temperature – tzoom.

Jack: (Tense - staring at Beth; no response) Better move it. Where to, Anne?

Anne: (Off-guard) I hadn't... Woodworking room, I guess.

Jack: Show me.

(Anne moves down steps to cellar. Jack follows.)

Dave: (In kitchen) You know it was one thing to bring the stuff...

Anne: (In cellar) All right? It's cool and dry.

Jack: Never any flooding?

Anne: Never since I played pirates and ghosts.

Dave: ...but I hadn't thought about living with it.

Beth: Sort of...alters the atmosphere.

Jack: Perfect. OK, here it stays. (Starting back up stairs)

Anne: What is coming down?! You were just supposed to bring the cash to Barton.

Jack: Ask me again when we're finished. And watch Dave.

Anne: (Following him upstairs) What?

(Jack picks up a crate. So does Dave)

Beth: Can I carry them?

Jack: (Looks at her; she meets his gaze) Yes. But walk it first. You too, Dave.

Dave: (Setting crate down) Good idea.

(Beth goes down first, followed by Jack with crate, then Dave. Anne adjusts lights on the way)

Jack: Dave, carry a crate, then stay down there. We'll work a relay. Anne knows her space.

(A relay begins, so each has fewer steps to go, with Jack above, Beth from top to mid-stair, Dave, from mid-stair to Anne, below, who regulates stacking)

Dave: (Carrying to Anne) Whooh, sure about this new tenant, Gorgeous? There's enough sauce here to rattle a whole block of landmark mansions.

(Dave climbing for a crate, back and forth as dialogue continues. Beth, silent, ignoring Jack's attempts to lock eyes with her, makes circuits, handing crates to Dave)

Anne: The mansions could use rattling. Way down to their rightful Indian bones.

Dave: My, my, what would Daddy say?

Anne: That he'd trust Indians if it weren't for their Jew noses.

Dave: Ooooo, straight to my heart. (Hands her his crate, makes another circuit as he talks) This is death, Anne. I rattled over every pothole sitting on this stuff today, but my brain was alive...like with a sniff of ammonia. I wasn't afraid.

(Arriving down, he swiftly picks up a stick of dynamite, waves it in air, then speaks softly)

Dave: Do you know what that feels like? Like I could take you in one bite. Dare me?

Anne: (Tempted) If you're that high, you don't need a dare.

Dave: Right. (Turns away, continues circuit) So I'll track the layers your coolness sits on. When they dig up this street for a gas leak, they find the Manhattans, mild people. And on top of them the shrewd puchasers of this 24 dollar island, and up and up to your daddy's own workshop, stuffed with dynamite. (Beat) Ordinary house when it was built, but you can't buy one now. Unless you're an oil sheik. And the people who've always had them are very sure who they are. (Very close to Anne)

Anne: And who their daughters are?

Dave: (Leaving) Oooo you are so elegant. That's the sleekness of knowing all eyes are on you. Have you ever doubted yourself...by so much as a jagged fingernail?

Anne: (Laughs) And that makes you curious?

Dave: It arouses, yes.

Anne: I'm tough meat.

Dave: Chance I take. (Close to her) Didn't anybody ever tell you violence is sexy.

Anne: Violence is not sexy.

(As Beth ascends to get a crate, Jack blocks her, and takes her in a deep, desperate kiss. She responds)

Dave: The most consistent–and bizarre–reaction to death...is copulation.

Anne: You mean someone else's?

Dave: Death? Yes.

(Dave's fondling her, Anne does not resist)

Dave: It's a system check. Checking out life to be sure you've still got it.

(Dave and Anne bend over the crates in a clinch, while Jack and Beth come up for air– )

Jack: (Relieved) Well.

(Beth moves immediately past him to get another crate)

Jack: Now wait a minute...

Beth: (Picking up the crate) This is the action.

Jack: That's right, but...

Beth: Right.

(She moves past him)

Jack: Do I have to grab you again?

Beth: Try it.

Jack: (Beat) No. You grab me.

(Beth holds look, then starts down with crate. Angry, Jack blocks her, takes hold of the crate, pulls it away. Beth gasps, alarmed by the danger. Jack sits on step with dynamite in his lap)

Jack: (Terse confession) I got back two days ago.

Beth: Anne knew?

Jack: Yes.

(Beth starts away)

Jack: Three weeks organizing – Seattle, then San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas, Washington, Atlanta. (Beat) Was it bad for you?

Beth: I was gone, too.

(Jack sits silent, watching her. She breaks his gaze, leaving– )

Beth: They were right to split us.

(Anne, below, breaks from clinch, with an outburst– )

Anne: Violence is sexy? I've never heard such a pile of macho, sexist...

Dave: Don't turn on me, sshweetheart (Draws Anne into another kiss, but...) Nothing sexy about Ghandi, or Martin Luther K...

(Anne shoves Dave away, climbs stairs to Beth, who's continuing with crates)

Dave: I mean, nobody ever got it up by swaying to the ooms of "We Shall Overcome."

Anne: That's enough!

Dave: Oops. Could've sworn I was playing with voluptuous Ms. Pick-up-the-gun.

Anne: (Shouts) You ass. I was there. You think giants come along so you can sneer?

Dave: So you worshiped him; he said "believe in me, and..."

Anne: You have no idea what it takes!

Dave: ...and now look at you.

(Anne on stairs becomes rally, like she's speaking to thousands. Beth carries crates, and Dave will join her, piling dynamite higher)

Anne: Do you!? The colossal soul it takes – to be nonviolent in this world. The immensity of him. (Begins quietly) When they told me what happened...I laughed. A funny little laugh. It was so silly. Not possible...that such a gigantic force could be effected by something so ludicrous and crude as a bullet. You can't shoot a messiah in the midst of his work. But America could. (Beat) There is a moment when nothing is the same again. When some...injustice enrages you as nothing has before. And you know you must act, and keep on acting, until that injustice, that crime, is wiped from the universe. The odd thing is, you don't have to be a strong, or brave, or forceful person. You just have to be angry. It will frighten you. It's a primal instinct – cataclysmic. You must act. Or you will cease to be human.

Dave: (Still) Act...with violence.

Anne: It was simple. They shot him. America's answer to his nonviolence was to shoot him. I changed then.

Jack: (From kitchen, where he's reserved one crate) Anne?

Anne: (Snapping back to present) Yeah?

Jack: Got room in the refrigerator for a crate?

Anne: (Quickly inventorying her situation, turns abruptly) Make it.

Jack: OK.

(Jack opens refrigerator, takes out beer, lifts in last crate, shuts refrigerator. They all gather)

Dave: (Collapsing) "Excuse us, Officer, it's only a miniature eclipse we've got here. You know, like a million earth's worth of burning gas."

Beth: (Handing him a beer) Pretend it's silage, Davey. You're in trouble if that gets too hot, too.

Dave: Hey – this whole house could go up, like– (Snaps fingers. Chill, as everyone imagines it) But the up-side? Then the whole freaking world could not deny...you cats are serious.

Jack: (Sharp) You got this guy roped in?

Anne: Only tenderized.

Dave: And implicated. Or is it "accompliced."

Anne: However you want to tell it, David.

Dave: I said I'd help you move the stuff, and that's all I said.

Jack: And you're still here.

Anne: (Finally bursts– ) Why the hell have I been dangling over a pit for two hours? Why'd you order a shut down?!

Dave: "Shut down"?

Beth: Are we shut down?

Anne: Yes. This king-pin called it after you went to sleep.

Jack: I had to.

Anne: Why!

Beth: What went wrong?

Dave: What the hell are you talking about?

Jack: (Beat, then, glaring at Dave) East Third Street's been busted.

Anne: What!

Dave: Jesus!

(Beth sits down without a word, will remain very still. Silence)

Anne: (Suddenly) Ned... ?

Jack: (Drained) I saw them put him in a pig car. Barton and Josy too.

Anne: My god. (Sits lost an instant, then shouts) You've known this since you called me?

Jack: (Beat) I have.

Anne: You bastard. Why didn't you tell me?!

Jack: What would you have done?

Anne: Something to help them. Like you should have been doing.

Jack: Like throwing myself in front of the pig-mobile?

Anne: Like getting the lawyers over to the 9th precinct.

Jack: They can do that for themselves, Anne. You know the rules.

Dave: Then, when you flagged me...?

Anne: You didn't even get to Third Street?

Dave: Only far as Avenue A. Jack practically jumped off the curb. Said I was late, and we better get going.

Anne: But you didn't call me then. It was later than...

Jack: Anne, think. I couldn't be sure I wasn't tagged. I didn't call till I was sure.

Dave: That's what all the twisting back on the Parkway was. Thought it was just paranoid...

Anne: You didn't tell him either? You just ran off to Connecticut.

Jack: I just went ahead as planned.

Anne: As though nothing had... Not as planned. Barton was supposed to go, not you.

Jack: I carried out the action, made sure the action was accomplished.

Anne: Born-again conservative.

Jack: Anne...

Anne: You'll go on trimming tomato plants when your mother drops from sunstroke!

Dave: What if Anne had called East Third? It must be staked out. What if she'd gone over there?

Beth: Jack told her "shut down." Shut down means lay low. Contact no one.

Anne: No. Shut down meant "squeeze your ass, lady." Cross your legs and sit on it till Daddy decides what to do.

Jack: You'd have gone storming out and lost everything, Anne. The rule is "scatter and wait."

Anne: And sooo, certain I could not be trusted to follow the rule, you took unilateral action.

Jack: I had the information. It was my responsibility to make the decision.

Anne: To keep me in ignorance. To maintain the male prerogative.

Jack: Christ.

Anne: Scatter and wait. And warn others.

Jack: I did. As soon as I could.

Anne: You told me nothing!

Jack: All you had to do was trust that I knew what I was talking about.

Anne: All I had to do was obey you.

Jack: All right!

Beth: (Pause. Quietly) Should we talk about what to do.

(Anne hits something, collapses, leaning on her arms over the table, shaking. Others uneasy)

Anne: Ned gone. And Josy. Goddamn it all to hell.

Dave: Maybe he's not gone. Maybe...

Jack: There's a warrant on him. He's gone. They'll keep the rest till they scare up something.

Anne: How did they...?

Jack: Exactly.

Dave: What?

Beth: ...find out.

(All look at Dave)

Jack: I don't think it's him.

Dave: What are you...

Jack: I could be wrong.

Dave: You...

Jack: That's why I didn't tell him on the way. Trying to gauge his response to everything. And why I waited till now, with all of us here. To watch him.

(All still looking at Dave. He looks dumbly at them)

Anne: How long has he had the Third Street address?

Dave: Now just a...

Jack: Since Ned ran into him on Monday, and he asked about us.

Dave: Just a goddamn minute. Would I drive my wagon for you?

Anne: You could collect more intelligence.

Dave: You're going to have me screaming in a...

Beth: Then why haven't they hit here yet?

Anne: Unless he hasn't had time to report.

Dave: Stop it! Just shut up.

Beth: Could he have been tagged?

Jack: Not likely. He's been cold quite a while. Could have been a tag on any one of us... Or someone inside. A plant.

Anne: God, I don't want to think about that.

Jack: Yeeah.

Beth: (Beat) What are the chances...

Jack: That they know this place? We just have to wait.

Anne: Shit. Wait to be hit.

Beth: What will they have found on Third Street?

Jack: My stuff. There wasn't much left...

Anne: Oh! Thank god we moved the office here. All the files. And correspondence.

Jack: ...but a couple more hours and they'd have found dynamite.

Anne: (To Beth) You said you had stuff there.

Beth: Books. A few clothes.

Anne: Not this address?

Beth: No. Josy gave it to me in code on the phone. I only kept it on me till I got in town.

Anne: Ned had a personnel book.

Jack: He might have had time to dump it. We don't know how much warning they...

Anne: We were so few already. (Sinks into chair)

Jack: Arsenal safe. Army wiped out.

Anne: Is there anything we can... If they're gone, maybe there's noth...

(Silence)

Beth: What If none of this happened...if Jack didn't tell us...like we're in a fantasy...

(Beth gets up, walks away. Jack reaches for her. She avoids him)

Anne: She's right. We'll go crazy if we sit. Teach us to build these things.

Dave: Accomplish the action! Set a bomb on the Ninth Precinct?

Anne: (Reacting sharply to mockery) What about him.

Jack: Your instinct?

Anne: (Beat) Nooo.

Jack: Probably 85% no. Pretty ugly.

Dave: Do you mind!

Jack: What have you got to say for yourself?

Dave: Shit-heads.

Anne: He's caught here, no matter...

Jack: Yeah.

Dave: What?

Anne: You were planning to stay?

Dave: I'm a prisoner?! (Looks at them both. No response) Oh no. Nothing doing. No way.

Anne: You got a big-time thrill on this caper.

Dave: Forget it. Came for the laughs, got no dog in the family fight. Just a temporary-type felon.

Jack: Is anyone expecting you?

Dave: No, but...

Anne: Good. Sit tight.

Dave: There is no way I'm missing the eclipse. It'll be 2017 before there's...

Anne: That's tomorrow, Dave. We'll talk about it tomorrow.

Jack: Did you pull the phones – so no one connects who could be traced?

Anne: Of course.

(They stand, taut with the pain and emergency)

Anne: Let's go then.

Jack: Yeah.

(Jack opens refrigerator, Dave watches warily, as Jack lifts crate of dynamite, sets it down, opens)

Jack: I felt so...helpless. Half a block from me – there's Ned and the Pigs and the rest. People lounged in broken glass, gaping. I felt like my brain was flashing red: "Me too, you want me too!" But no one saw me. (Sits, helpless)

Anne: Is this the hardware? (Gets box with bags she'll set out)

Jack: There's got to be something we can do besides waiting to show on their radar!

Anne: No, you were right. They expect us to flap now they've entered the hen house. We wait.

Jack: And gamble.

Anne: That they don't know where to look. Yes.

Dave: Have you got a telescope here? I read in the paper that...

Jack: You know what this means? We've got to go under.

Anne: Cool it. This is temporary.

Jack: (Gets up swiftly – opening bags, setting out wires, tape, nails, blasting caps) Shutdown has got to become our status quo.

Anne: Christ, Jack, you're such an alarmist. We'll wait to see what happens with Ned and...

Jack: You think we can scurry out setting bombs in the morning, and still pop into a rally at noon?

Dave: (Uneasy watching) Not noon. 2 PM Saturday, Washington Square Arch. Raindate: ...

Anne: Action's the perfect cover. And multiple actions can look like multiple groups. Just because there's been a bust doesn't mean...

Jack: How long do you think it'll take them to find us?

Anne: If they're looking.

Jack: For Christ's sake, your daddy's in the phone book. They can call directory assistance!

Anne: You're running scared, Jack. What kind of power can we maintain if we hide?

Jack: That what you're in it for – power?

(Beth moves, will climb a few stairs, get a rifle, and sit breaking it down, checking, cleaning it)

Dave: Ooo, you hit it there. The lady likes to get behind a microphone.

Jack: Why balk at going under, Anne? We've seen it coming. We're in small units, connected, but able to operate in isolation, if cut off. So this is it. Ahead of schedule.

Dave: Just one farewell performance. Think of her public.

Anne: (To Jack) You can organize yourself straight into a pile of shit.

Dave: Pow! Secure in your isolation booth, hunched over a key transmitter...

Anne: Shut up, Dave.

Dave: ...you'll be found in 91 years, with crumbling eyelids...

Anne: Christ.

Dave: ...still waiting for the connection.

Jack: There's no waiting, wise ass! This whole fucking globe is about to boil. (Jack straightens, speaks as at a rally) How much fatter could we get? Like a parody of Santa wheezing ho ho ho, I'm the great father. Bring me your poor, and I will exploit them, batten down the screws of their crumbling dictatorships, exterminate them if they should rebel.

(Jack finishes passionately, towards Beth; she's turned on watching him)

Dave: Right on! That what you smuggled out of junior exec summers at your dad's multi-national?

Jack: Don't strain for cutes, Dave. My dad trades in futures. All I could have smuggled was cows.

Dave: This your line, too, Beth?

Beth: You smell the burning flesh, Dave. Why are you hiding?

Jack: Hiding's worse than being drugged or asleep.

Anne: Right! And if we're underground, we're muzzled. Who can we wake?

Dave: What did I tell you. She wants to lead the parade. Strut them thighs.

Jack: She should make up her mind – revolutionary or movie star!

Anne: (Stunned, attacks Jack) You can't stomach that a woman has power, that after you screw her she doesn't curl up and gurgle.

(Beth startled, looks at Jack, and he at her, uneasy)

Dave: You mean, you two...?

Anne: (Interrupting) You're a jealous prick because you can calculate and structure till your balls fall off, but it's me...me that stands up and takes the people with me.

Dave: Jack hasn't got your legs.

Beth: If Anne's legs make them listen, what's the problem?

Dave: Hitler wasn't very sexy.

Beth: Castro is. You've got to know your market. Sex sells. Americans don't go much for rank. Or talent. And you've got no chance at all if they suspect you've got brains. So what's left?

Jack: We can't have it both ways. If our intent is outside the law, our public action is finished.

Dave: I'd like to know how the hell you painted yourself into this hot little corner, where you start heaving bombs?

Beth: Dave...

Dave: I mean, you cats have escalated faster than the Joint Chiefs.

Anne: How dare you.

Dave: I can see Anne doing it. She'd pick up the gun if somebody scuffed her boots. And maybe Jack could compute himself onto such a gangplank. But Beth? There's no way Beth could arrive at such a brutal, suicidal...

Anne: You lazy coward.

Jack: You quit! You have no right to touch what we've been through.

Dave: And you're all fantasizing. Like failed revolutionaries. Guns, bombs...

Anne: Yes it's criminal, and no one will help. But watch how many hundreds of thousands cheer when the first draft center is blown.

Dave: Who do you think you're kidding? The movement was grandiose, but you've upped the stakes because you can't admit it's over.

Jack: The old game was more fun, huh, Dave? Marches, rallies, sleep-in's...if you forget the murders down South, it was better than old times, actually: There were flowers!

Anne: Pretty memory to retire on, huh, Dave? But that was the fantasy. (Rising to lead a rally) ...that our country was what we'd been taught. And the farther we marched, the more we saw, what welled in our footsteps was blood. So we stopped our happy march. The land of the free was a fantasy.

Jack: The buck stops here. And it costs us: Isolation. Exile. Jail. (Beat) Now you're retired, what do you think of the war, David?

Dave: (Wary) What do you mean.

Jack: What do you think about children jumping up and down...trying to shake off napalm.

Dave: (Shaking) You...

Anne: Or National Guard, splattering freshman who stopped to watch a rally on their way to class.

Beth: Or Maya, leading me to her dismembered father.

Jack: Have you met any happy Vets lately?

Dave: (Hoarsely) What are you saying.

Jack: What are you doing?

Dave: (Furious) You bastards! I spent years working against this war.

Anne: Then how could you quit. The war didn't. Good god, your own brother was...

Dave: Shut up!! (Shaking. Pause) My brother died. That's the best reason in the world for me to chuck all this shit, to get out and live. He was just a kid, but he's everything I knew about life. I remember when he was born. He shoved himself into my life, like an extension of me. I could love him because I wasn't alone anymore, and still hate him for taking my space. But if he could die...then I've seen the beginning and the end. I've seen that the end can come...to even a kid. I want to live.

Beth: But how? And for what.

Dave: (Upset) I'll tell you what he lived for. He was not much like me, you see, not so sharp, so overbearing. He was always easy. Did whatever I could, but without the strain. And gentle-hearted. He hated my bullying, but never made noise. Quietly resisted, never cried. Only once in his life did he stand up and shout at me. It shocked me so I shut up He said my politics disgraced our parents. He said I never thought of who I hurt. He said he was ashamed of me. (Beat) Next morning he enlisted. (Pause, looking at them) Of course he was happy. He believed in it. At least... The last card I got came two days after the notice of his death. It said the usual stuff about the food, his friends...then, just before the end, as though it slipped in without his notice, he'd written: "Dave, I don't know why I'm here." Well, I knew why. Because I'd sent him there. (Walks away) So how do I go home.

Beth: (Quietly) Does that make it wrong to have said "no."

Dave: (Hoarsely) To the war? What good did it do? Nine years we've said no. You, me, millions.

Anne: And all our throats, shrieked raw at each new atrocity, have not accomplished anything. We have to bring it home. (Takes stick of dynamite, offers it to Dave) What they understand.

Beth: (Pause) Dave. I know your heart is with us. But if you're gonna walk, walk now. (Looks at the others) I'll answer for the risk. You can go. Thanks for the help.

Dave: (Looks at her ) Funny word, honor. He's got it that died a' Wednesday. But hell... (Takes the stick of dynamite) "Rockets' red glare" is how we celebrate. Right?

(Jack carefully lifts dynamite, making stacks of eight. Anne lays out hardware. Dave adds his stick)

Jack: (Light) It's all Americans believe in – the gun: Our mythic order.

Dave: Not order, forcing order – "Taming the lawless West."

Jack: OK. Just get out one of each item.

Dave: But there was another spirit, like a minority report: the man who refused. To pick up the gun.

Beth: Wasn't a man. That spirit was a woman. And she pressured the man, because she wanted peace, a home. High Noon.

Dave: Perfect! "High Noon." (Handling hardware, begins unwrapping something) But why does it have to be a woman? Because, my sweet, a woman's excused. But a man who doesn't want to pick up the gun is called Coward.

Jack: (Seeing Dave unwrap a blasting cap) Don't open that!

Dave: Ahh, ah...

Jack: Put it down...carefully.

(All tense, then resume – Jack's arranging tape, nails, battery)

Dave: See? Cowboys was never my game.

Jack: (To Anne) Did you reach Fred Hampton about splitting this stuff?

Anne: No answer. Or their phone's out.

Dave: Maybe they're "shut down" too. (Still unnerved, takes guitar, starts "Masters of War") But if the man's the Hero, he can refuse to pick up the gun, but only if he's already the fastest, deadliest, most violent guy in the valley.

Beth: I thought Hampton denounced violent action.

Anne: He did; but the Panthers don't all agree, so he might talk with us.

Dave: This "hero" can only give up violence because he's sick of it. But the catch is...he never can. He's always forced to pick up the gun one-last-time. For his honor.

(All ready, all poised to begin building bombs, collective big breath, all listen, very still– )

Jack: This...is dynamite. It is what's called a high explosive. Dynamite should be regarded with the same respect you give a gun, but there is a difference: dynamite is always loaded. (Beat) It feels oily, smells sweet, gives you a headache. If you make a mistake, the first thing you lose is fingers, and hearing, then eyes, and a lung. Your intestines and blood vessels may burst, simply from force. Then, if you still notice, your arms and legs will go. And finally, your head will be removed from what was your body. (Beat) Like a gun, dynamite must be set off. It will not explode when you look at it, or shake it, or even drop it on the floor...probably. It's a mixture of a small amount of something that explodes on the slightest provocation with a great amount of something that acts to muffle the possibility of explosion.

Dave: (Dropped in, low- ) Like a Yippie at the Republican convention?

Jack: That's why you need...this. (Picks up blasting cap, unwraps it) This is a blasting cap. The material inside this case is red phosphorus – what, in a person, you'd call hyperactive, supersensitive, ready to blow. It has a catalytic personality. The only encouragement it needs is heat, a tiny spark, and it will consume itself in an explosion.

(A black man in stocking cap has come to edge of stage, sits on debris)

Dave: (Softly) Ka-pow-ee – and it's organic. Sun's been doing it five billion years.

Jack: Now this small explosion is just what is needed to activate, turn on...Miss Dynamite here. So, the two must be united. One blasting cap, in good harem fashion, can take care of many dynamites. We start with setups of eight. So... (Gathers eight sticks) ...Anne, the tape.

Anne: (Handing him roll) Here.

Jack: Rewrap the blasting cap and put it away for the moment. (Talks while demonstrating) Now. Wrap securely. No stick should be able to slip or shift. Set the bundle aside. Then, (As he does so) tear off four lengths of tape; lay them, adhesive side up, in front of you. Now. Take some four penny nails... (Takes handful, distributes on tape) ...spread them on the tape, and...

Beth: What for.

Jack: (Involved with securing tape) What?

Beth: Those nails. What do they have to do with anything. You don't need the weight, do you?

Jack: No, but...

Beth: What are they for?

Jack: ...since we're not going to use metal boxes...

Beth: Yes?

Jack: They provide, to some extent, the same effect.

Beth: Which is...

Jack: To scatter, like the pieces of metal blown apart.

Beth: Like shrapnel.

Jack: Yes. (Beat) Now. The blasting cap has several wires, protruding here from what is called the "leg" end...

Beth: Why?

Jack: Why what.

Beth: Why do we need shrapnel? I didn't think we were trying to kill people.

Jack: A shrapnel effect magnifies the destructive power of the explosion.

Beth: Shrapnel destroys people, not machines.

Anne: Beth, don't be naïve; he told you the explosion will blow you apart. Why kvetch about a few nails?

Beth: (Standing off) What the explosion does, it does to someone on top of it. Nails are meant to fly. Someone a long way off can be hit by a nail, just like a bullet.

Jack: There's no point in setting off polite little fire crackers, Beth. We won't be taken seriously if we don't do serious damage.

Beth: (Pacing away) Damage is one thing. Random murder is another.

Anne: You'd better think it through again, Beth. Maybe you're not certain...

Beth: I'm here. I don't need to think about it. I just don't like...

Anne: If you're so uptight now, what good are you going to be for firearms?

Beth: I'm a crack shot. (Going up stairs) And I need air.

Jack: (Racing after, grabbing her) Beth!

Beth: Let go of me, killer!

Jack: Beth, you can't go out.

Beth: Join the National Guard. They could use you at Kent State.

(Beth pulls away, climbs, fading up the stairs)

Dave: So parts the fearless revolutionary.

(Sound of window raising. The black man looks up at Beth, countering to watch)

Jack: (Startled) Beth!

Beth: (Calling back) I'm not jumping. Leave me alone!

Dave: (Shaking his head) Crack shot? That's an all American girl. Better watch her.

Anne: I never doubt Beth. She's exactly who she says she is.

(Beth shuts window. The black man stands, circles round the stair, watching, and disappears. Suzy appears, dimly lit, just behind Beth. Suzy sings like a child. Beth murmurs slogans simultaneously, both increasing in volume to a cacophony – while below, the others tape bundles)

Suzy: (Sings) Jesus wants me for a sunbeam to shine for him each day...

Beth: (Chants overlapping Suzy) Peace now. Peace now. Peace now.

Suzy: (Sings) ...In every way try to please him; at home, at school, at play...

Beth: (Overlapping Suzy) Hell no, we won't go; hell no, we won't go!

Suzy: (Sings) ...A sunbeam, a sunbeam, Jesus wants me for a sunbeam...

Beth: (Overlapping) Kill, kill, kill, kill! Bring the war home

Suzy: (Sings) ...A sunbeam, a sunbeam; I'll be a sunbeam for him.

Beth: (Finishing) Bring it home, bring it home, bring it home...Now!

(Stop. Then Beth's voice rises like a clarion call, as at a rally)

Beth This country's core, whoever it is that keeps this war going...is evil. We may find we've been ruled in these times by a hideous machine with no flesh or nerves or human organs. But whatever, whomever we find...must be destroyed without trace...or we will never find our honor again.

(Split second, then the whole stage goes dark)

Dave: Hey!

Jack: What the hell!

Anne: Beth?!

Beth: (From above) It's not me. It's dark here too.

Jack: Where's the fuse box?

Anne: If she's dark up there, it's not a fuse.

Jack: (Calling) What can you see outside?

Beth: There's light across the street. I can't see this side.

Jack: (Sour) Oh, this is great.

(Anne is rummaging in kitchen area)

Dave: No need for sarcasm. Let's try paranoia. Maybe somebody's out to get us. See any fuzz out there, Beth?

Jack: Don't be stupid. What would yanking our power accomplish?

Beth: (Looking out) No, nobody.

Anne: (Finds flashlight, candles, kerosene lamp) Matches in the second drawer down, Dave.

Jack: Don't strike anything here.

Dave: Oh, this is cheery.

(They manage to light lamp, set it on refrigerator. Beth has crept downstairs)

Beth: Just go ahead.

Jack: What?

Beth: With the building. I was out of line. I haven't changed my mind, but it didn't need a tantrum...

Jack: (Rattled, but taking hold) OK. let's go.

Beth: ...it needs a policy meeting.

Jack: Here's your blasting cap. Mr or Ms hot stuff. And here's wire – our main connection tool. Wrap it, so, around the bundle, and attach it to the crimp end of the cap...like this. Now, resting in this neighborly proximity, if the blasting cap gets agitated – hot – and explodes, so too will the mama load.

Dave: Right on. Tell it, brother.

(The black man reappears from behind, will come around and approach the door)

Jack: And how do we agitate the cap? With a spark from – you guessed it – (Picks up battery) good old Electrics 101. These double leg wires are positive and negative poles for the connection. (Connects one) Now. The only thing that remains is the delay. If you connect up both these legs right now, if you hook this to that... (Carefully showing what he means, but not doing it) ...we have a completed bomb. And it fires.

Dave: So what's the delay?

Jack: (Lifting out an alarm clock) Old man time.

Dave: You don't mean these bundles tick.

Jack: They do.

Dave: Shades of Dick Tracy.

(A strong knock. Black man in stocking cap has reached the door. All stop, look at each other)

Anne: It could be Janice. From next door. If her lights are out too.

(Another knock)

Dave: Jeezus.

Anne: She knows I'm staying here. Saw me this morning. I figured it was better. (Beat) I'll go.

Jack: Check first.

Dave: We might find out what the blackout's about.

(Anne reaches door, looks out peephole. Black man has stepped to side)

Anne: Gone already. (Opens door a little, calls) Janice?

Damon: (Steps forward) Excuse me, I'm looking for Dave Cohen. Is he still... ?

Anne: (Startled, but cool) No. Not here.

Damon: Oh. Sorry. He left this... (Shows scarf in his hand) You're Anne.

Anne: I don't...

(He suddenly lunges, grabbing her face, stuffing the scarf in her mouth, using his other hand to yank his cap into a ski mask that covers his face. But her physical response flips him, and he sprawls. Anne is thrown. Others come running)

Beth: Anne!

Dave: Oh, shit.

(Jack is still below, putting away the bundle. The black man pulls a gun, grabs Anne again, with her arm twisted behind her, puts the gun to her head. Seeing it, she doesn't struggle)

Dave: The man with the gun.

(All stand, guarded. Jack runs to group. Black man speaks– )

Damon: Any of you fuckers want to call your block association?

END ACT I

ACT II

All exactly as they were at close of Act I

Damon: You get one call. How 'bout it? (Beat) Didn't think so. Then I want this filled. (Slips off rain-wet knapsack)

Dave: (Taking knapsack) This...?

Anne: We don't have money.

Damon: You got what I want. Fill it with the "D," kiddies. While you wet your pants, the CIA's learning to spell. Fill it! Dy–na–mite. (Jerking Anne's arm up)

Anne: Ahahhh!

Jack: All right! I'll get it.

Damon: We'll all get it. (Jerks gun at them, pulls Anne along) Go ahead. Mama and I after you.

(They move to kitchen where Jack lifts crate onto table)

Dave: Excuse me, have you got bullets in that thing?

Damon: Open it.

(Jack opens crate)

Damon: Think you're putting me on? Drop the round eyes, Honky; you recollect. Where's the rest?!

Jack: This is it.

(Damon jerks Anne's arm. She screams)

Jack: All right! I'll show you.

Dave: Excuse me, because if that gun's loaded...

Jack: (Moving to stairs) How did you know...

Damon: (Follows, dragging Anne) Your system's got as many leaks as your braincase.

Anne: He knew who I was. Called me by name. Asked for you, too, Dave.

(Jack starts down. Damon holds Anne at top of stairs, nodding Dave and Beth down ahead. As Damon starts down, Anne slumps, as though fainting. Damon holds on, but Anne knocks his wrist hard against the banister, and the gun flies out of his hand. All startled. Involuntary yells)

Dave: (Scrambling to catch the gun) Fucking hell!

Jack: You're out of your mind, Anne!

Dave: (Wiping his forehead) Well, all things considered...

Jack: It could have gone off!

(Dave hands gun to Beth. She swiftly unloads it, and pockets the bullets)

Anne: Damned if I let this fool carry a gun into the workshop.

(Damon shoves between them toward the workshop)

Jack: Get him!

(Beth and Dave follow Damon, pin him before he can touch dynamite. He struggles wildly, smashing them about, but they hang on)

Dave: Crazy probably has a lighter on him, too.

Jack: Find out right now. (Searches Damon's pockets) Knife. Keys. Matches.

Dave: I could tell he went in for self-immolation.

Anne: No ID? Who are you!

Jack: How do you know Anne?

Anne: Who sent you?

(Damon spits in her face. She jerks the stocking off his head)

Anne: (Stunned, trying to place Damon) Who...?

Damon: (Scrambling away) I'm outta here.

(But Jack and Dave tackle Damon, pin him again)

Anne: I know him.

Damon: Like hell.

Anne: I know I do.

Jack: (Remembering) Damon!

Anne: That's it.

Dave: You're kidding.

Damon: That's not me.

Anne: Damon McIntyre. He's a Panther – Hampton circle.

Jack: (Letting him go) What the hell's coming down! We offered you people in on this.

Damon: Nobody wants in with you!

Jack: Then why are you here? I heard you're not touching the "D," so what happened? You have a change of plans?

Damon: (Very strung out, breathing in gasps) Plans? Yeah... (Choked laugh) Got new plans.

Jack: You were gonna stuff it in... Your knapsack's wet! You'd get home with nothing but duds!

Damon: Just let me out of here.

Jack: Damon, we'd give you the stuff.

Damon: Bullshit! Me prancing into a suburban garden shop: "Where'd you say you live, boy?"

Anne: That's what we're talking! We can get it for you.

Jack: Christ, we'd have delivered!

Damon: Partners, huh? (Short laugh) For how long? Till we both get nabbed. Because no matter what bail gets smacked on you: 20, 30, 50 K...there comes Daddy, and you're home with an ice cream on the way. You can't pretend we're in the same war.

Jack: We've been fighting your war since Little Rock.

Damon: (Spitting the words, gasping) Excuse me, I'm feeling sick. (Frenzied– ) How am I gonna say it so you understand? We want nothing to do with you. You are in. the. way!

Anne: Then what are you doing here? All we want is to help you.

Damon: (Jerks toward Anne, his eyes suddenly wild) Don't tell me it's you the King touched?

Anne: (Takes the blow, then hard) Why not use us?

Damon: Because you're sick! Our revolution is real – education, food, jobs. We've mobilized the people. And yes, we expect war. But then we've always been gunned down and lynched. We're just arming against the inevitable. But quietly, so quietly. And what do you give us in Chicago? Hyenas – riling the white kid hoodlums, getting 'em on the rampage, busting up stores and cars, begging the pigs to come bash in your head. What the fuck has that to do with your "cause?" What did you think you'd prove?!

Beth: (Pause. Then quietly) That we could take it.

Damon: (Incredulous) What?

Beth: That we could take what you take...all your life. That me, soft little rich girl, could face the beast, let his club smash down, spurt my blood, hoping, at last you'd let me be like you.

Jack: We unleashed their brutishness; hoping to draw more people into the fight. We were wrong.

Damon: (Drained, staring at him) You remember when I met you, man?

Jack: Yeah, just before the Days of Rage.

Damon: I was at the meeting you had with our leadership.

Anne: With Fred Hampton and...

Damon: (Quick, sharp) Fred Hampton. You remember him?

Anne: He's the best you've got, but not flamboyant.

Damon: Yeah, quiet. He's quiet.

Anne: Jack's known him longer. I been trying to reach him all day.

Jack: Fred'll want us together. He's amazingly wise, never resents...

Damon: (Blurting) Just tell me what our wise Freddy... (Stops, choked) What did he say to you that night. When you met. Can you remember that?

Anne: (Beat) He asked us to call off the Days of Rage. Said he wouldn't be associated. Said the whole thing was...suicidal.

Damon: But you went on. Now you say it was a failure. Yes, you did draw the bestial fury of the local pig-pen. But that fury did not sate itself on your skulls. Oh no. That fury smothered itself until it could find some game that's in season, always in season. So today...in the barely dawn morning, when they in Chicago were all laid-me-down-to-rest, our Freddy, poet of our strength, who asked you, who begged you to take your dangerous game and go away...was wakened by bullets. Pig bullets flashed through him and into his bed. His bed.

(While all stare at Damon, his rage breaks and he weeps)

Anne: (Quietly) No.

Jack: My god. Fred's...?

Anne: (Louder) No.

Jack: Is he...

Damon: You got it, white boy. Ain't you proud.

Anne: (Shouts) No! (Twisting, gasping, desperate for breath; others startled) Not now, not...again. I can't. Please don't... No! I won't again. I didn't... No!!

Dave: (Trying to calm her) Anne, come. Breathe. Anne...

(Anne breaks away, runs up stairs. Dave follows. Jack has collapsed on chair. Beth stricken, moves toward Damon, her hands outstretched)

Damon: (Glaring at Beth) Keep it. Freddy got no use for it now.

(Anne, at the landing, takes a handful of shells, takes rifle, begins to load. Others numb)

Jack: Anne. (Calling) Anne. (He starts up stairs) What are you...?

Anne: Don't worry, Jack. I'll take care of it.

Jack: Give me that.

(Dave starts up stairs, Damon watching; Beth still numb)

Anne: Won't take long.

(Dave gets to landing. Jack moves to cover the door)

Anne: (Ready to move) I'll kill...

Dave: (Grabbing her) Who? Who, Anne. It didn't happen here.

Anne: I have to.

Dave: You won't get anywhere.

Jack: (Moving in to her) Give me that.

Anne: (Clutching rifle, crouching, shouts) Damon. Damon!

(Damon moves up the stairs. Beth follows)

Anne: It's loaded, Damon. Take it. (Hands him rifle) Shoot me. Please. I'll stand here. It's my fault, what happened to Fred. Please do it. The King told me; I didn't listen. In the head. Do it for God's sake.

Damon: There's no way you can pay, lady.

(Anne, weeping, slides to floor. Beth comforts her)

Beth: Cry. That's right.

(All in tableau of mourning. Then Beth draws Anne to "bird room," where they settle; Jack and Dave sink to sit, while Damon, unnoticed, will take the lantern, and move down stairs to cellar)

Anne: (Bleary from shock) You shouldn't have come back. You knew the violence would...

Beth: Hush.

Anne: You wanted out. I should have let you go.

Beth: You did.

Anne: I pressured you because I couldn't...

Beth: I'd follow you anywhere, Anne, but I didn't come back for you.

Anne: You're the strong one.

Beth: Maya's everywhere.

Anne: Whatever I touch dies.

Beth: How could I tell her I quit?

Anne: Everytime they die. (Sobs)

Beth: (Rocking her) Shhhh, don't think.

Anne: (Silence) Jack wasn't supposed to be here.

Beth: Sleep.

Anne: And between him and me it was only...

Beth: (Can't go there) Don't.

(Dave has climbed to them, checks Anne for shock, covers her. Beth finds Damon's gun making a lump in her pocket. She looks at it; Jack is below)

Jack: (Shakes off shock, wonders– ) Damon?

(Damon in cellar, has packed sticks of dynamite in a plastic bag. Jack gropes down dark stairs. Hearing Jack, Damon sets lantern on a crate, and starts to open another)

Jack: (Stumbling, on his way to the cellar) Damon?

(Damon leans against stack of crates, his arms folded, waiting. Jack stops, frozen at the sight)

Damon: (Pause) You don't have the look of a man who wants to share.

Jack: (Frozen) The lamp.

Damon: (Sharp) What?

Jack: The lamp. Just...could you, carefully, pick it up. Move it away from the dynamite.

Damon: (Casually) Oh. Sure. (Damon reaches over, picks up the lantern easily)

Jack: . (Collapses, relieved) Jesus. If you're not stuffing it into a wet knapsack, you're...

Damon: (Moving past Jack to stairs with plastic bag full and lantern) Yeah well, Stanford doesn't give credits in bomb-making.

Jack: (Following him up) What are you...?

Damon: (Moving into kitchen) Cashing in, Honky.

(Damon sets the lamp down, grabs his knapsack, heads for the door. Jack lunges to reach him. His hand lands on Damon's shoulder)

Jack: It's ah...not so simple.

Damon: (Twisting fast) Putting prints on the skin?

Jack: Can't let you go, man.

Damon: What!?

(Damon tears away from Jack towards the door. Jack jumps on his back. They tumble, begin a fight that gets brutal. Above, Dave hears, creeps down stairs. Beth is staring out window. Damon is letting out his anguish in a frenzied pounding of Jack. Dave grabs Damon from behind)

Jack: (Gasping) Just pin him. Pin him! (They manage to hold onto Damon until he stops flailing)

Damon: Let me outta here!

Jack: (Catching breath) Can't.

Damon: You guys have lost it...

Jack: (Icy) How did you find us. You had the East Third address, but not this one, so how...

Damon: (Struggles, but they hold him) East Third stinks of pig.

Jack: (Shouts) That's what I'm talking! What do you know?!

Damon: (Slow grin) I know Dave.

Jack: (Spins on Dave) What?

Dave: I never...

Damon: Your wagon's down the street, and Stafford's the name on the bell.

Jack: (Eyes them both, mistrustful, but releases Damon) If you smelled pig, you can guess the scene. East Third got hit this afternoon.

Damon: So why you still here?

Jack: They must not have this place figured. Yet.

Damon: (Beat) I got brothers to get to.

Jack: Just for the night, man. I'm asking. Till we get word on East Third.

(Damon hisses. Jack backs toward the stairs)

Jack: I can't do the smart thing. Can't tie you up. Cannot do it.

Damon: (Glaring at Jack as he climbs and disappears) That is why you lose, man. Every time.

Dave: (Watching Damon) You'll stay?

Damon: (Stares at Dave. Physically, it's no contest, but– ) Shiii-it.

Dave: Anyway, Beth's got your piece. (To break tension, picks up guitar)

Damon: Shit-faced. Trusting violence to women. Number one mistake.

(Above, Jack approaches Beth – she turns to face him, but...stand-off)

Dave: (Begins playing "Mr Tambourine Man") Yeah?

Damon: You really with these guys? You got more sense.

Dave: About women?

Damon: They got no touch for it. But they pretend they've got this mystic power with life and death.

(Above, Jack and Beth apart, still looking at each other)

Jack: I am so sorry, Beth. About everything. I've...

Beth: (Pause) They were right; we were too close. Without you I woke feeling the danger, then strength, seeping up from roots I'd forgotten. Now my body vibrates in clear air. I'm alive.

Jack: (Beat) I'm glad.

Beth: You?

Jack: Nothing so dramatic. Only loss.

Beth: You wanted the split.

Jack: Some freedom, I suppose, from...expectations.

Beth: Nothing you need?

Jack: No.

Beth: Then you were whole before.

Jack: And you...?

Beth: Just part of you.

(Jack puts his hand out; she moves slowly to him – a passionate embrace, desperately needing each other and sleep. Below, Dave softly strums. Damon stretched out, his eyes closed)

Damon: They're hanging by a thread, like one fraying fiber over a flame.

Dave: While angels weep? Cause their tragedy is they can't mend the evil, but they have to try.

Jack: Why am I still here?! Ned was trapped in the hell of 'Nam; now he's the one in jail?!

Dave: While America's tragedy is...she'll lose her brightest, the ones who love her most.

Beth: It's not your fault.

Jack: I'm the one that should go for a soldier – everything in me screams "I'm the man." But if my country's wrong, what am I supposed to do?!

Beth: Saying "no" is a choice, Jack.

Jack: It's like I'm never "it;" it's not my time, nothing's in my hands.

(A glow above in the dressing room; and Suzy's voice draws Beth)

Suzy: Beth... Beth?

(Suzy hums "Jesus Loves The Little Children" while Beth speaks as she rises, climbs stairs)

Beth: Did I tell you when Maya's mother got flour? There'd been none for five months. Then her husband's nephew brought a whole sackful of wheat. He was sweating. They let him hide in their root cellar, but they knew he'd come from the rebels.

Suzy: (Calling) I'd never have done it without you. I was scared stiff!

Beth: (Overlaps, not hearing Suzy) She tore open the sack before the cellar door was bolted, and started to mix the dough. It had risen once when the soldiers came. She punched it down as they strode to the field.

Suzy: I couldn't even eat! Not from excitement, from terror.

Beth: When they dragged Maya's father into their jeep her mother didn't stop kneading, so her fingers were raw. I saw streaks of blood in the dough. It wasn't till after the loaves were devoured that Maya took my hand and said "Going to Father now." And we walked down the road to a pit beside a woods.

Suzy: (Excited) How can you promise for a whole life? I don't know how I'll feel next month! But I came down the aisle, looked straight into that monkey grin of yours... I swear, Beth, it was like when you yelled "Scaredy-Cat!" at Gooseberry Falls before I jumped into the bottomless pit. So I had to do it. To show you. What are you crying about?

Beth: (Reaching the top) So how's it feel? You can't touch bottom. Can you float?

Suzy: Yup.

Beth: (Stuffing her things into the paper bag) But you've run out on him already.

Suzy: I'll see him every breakfast, Dumbo. When am I gonna see you?

Beth: I don't know. Things are changing.

Suzy: You said on the phone you might be quitting...your group.

Beth: Gonna have Dan River gingham in your kitchen?

Suzy: Jeff doesn't like pink.

Beth: (Holding her) Suzy, will the family...stand by me no matter what?

Suzy: (Hugs her) We love you, Beth. Talk to Daddy. Please.

Beth: Suz, he doesn't...

Suzy: He says you always had great arguments, the two of you.

Beth: It hurts too much now. But I remember his "Do what you must, but be sure of what you do."

Suzy: I think he's changed his mind about the war, Beth.

Beth: (Stares at her) And Maya? What does he think about Guatemala? (Starting down) Oh, Daddy, forgive me that I can't explain. You're the hero who fought so you could hoist me on your shoulders, but from this height I see what you cannot. That all you won has spoiled.

(Below, cry from Damon, in nightmare; Dave watching him)

Damon: No! Oh God...

Dave: (Hand on Damon) You're all right now. It's all right.

(Damon wakes startled, cold-bath alert, jerks away from Dave, unsure where he is)

Dave: (Testing) I was thinking...you're not from Chicago.

Damon: (Realizing where he is) What do you know?

Dave: My wagon... You said you...

Damon: Bashed in side, '68 stickers...

Dave: (Remembering) Columbia! English Lit.

Damon: Never did figure you for a doctor.

Dave: Back row. You had a literary scholarship. Wow.

Damon: "Promising." But impractical. Law's more to the point. "Your Honor," Freddy called me. (Remembering Fred, twists away with a half-sob)

Dave: You still there in '68?

Damon: (Lying there, drained by grief) Left before the Blacks split from you. Pure farce, that scene. Perched on Olympus, endless rap: "self-determination," "equal opportunity," but did you once go downhill to lunch at my Mama's dinette? Food twice as good, but the oilcloth's torn? Jeez, I had to quit, from the bends I was getting, climbing that hill to the clouds.

Dave: Quit, and went into law?

Damon: To the coast. Where the revolution was real.

Dave: And Mama... ?

Damon: And Mama didn't have to know.

Dave: Funny. My folks both went to Columbia. Liberals. But I've always suspected they were Communists once. It's only a feeling. They're just regular tired Americans now. Mom's head of United Jewish Appeal. You asleep?

Damon: Mmmhmm.

Dave: So you saw my wagon, found Anne's name on the bell...?

Damon: Beth opened the window. Heard shouting, then I moved in.

Dave: And yanked out our power.

Damon: Didn't know how many I'd be dealing with. Put you off-balance. Surprise attack. (Makes him think of Freddy) Oh God...God... (He rolls, shakes with sobs)

Dave: Easy, easy...

Damon: He didn't even have a gun. I know it. I'm sure. The pigs are saying he fired on them first. From his bed?! All he had in that place was books. Books all over the damn place. He kept telling the young ones "Nobody can steal what's in your head. That's power." God, I just keep running it over and over. Trying to put myself there, to see if I could have helped: the warm, quiet breathing. Dark. Breathing. Then banging, shouts, stumbling, dark, then flashes, cracks, in the dark, still dark...screams... And it never comes out different. I'm helpless every time.

(Jack stirs, above, sits up)

Beth: It's not even light,

Jack: You sleep?

Beth: No. Dreamed of skinny dipping in Skunk River, where a little anthropologist and engineer decide to change the world. What happened to us?

Jack: War.

Beth: Every front at once – hunger, racism, the war, the planet – who can make sense of us?

Jack: Because we want to fix it all? It's America.

Beth: Maybe your dad was right. Provide first for yourself, and then serve.

Jack: Provisions. I got my pile, you yours. Everybody's hooked in – something to win, something to loose. So who's ever free to serve?

Beth: Your designs always had trees, light, curving paths... You've lost your sense of people, Jack.

Jack: Is this about the nails in the bombs?

Beth: Not only. Feels like the evil we're fighting has infected us.

Jack: I'm just doing the job in front of me, babe, and turning to stone. (Gets up abruptly) Maybe because I'm not a loser, but we're losing. And it's hard to take, because we're right. And the right should win. Especially when you give up everything and bet your life on it. (Beat) Gotta get going.

Beth: (Getting up, dully) What are you doing?

Jack: Gonna make some calls, contacts. We've got to find another place fast.

Beth: No.

Jack: (Looking out at the street) There's a way. Over the roofs. Be back after midnight. Leave a shade up if I should stay away. Good day for telescopes.

Beth: What?

Jack: The eclipse. Dave's almighty eclipse.

Beth: You're walking out of here?! (Beat) Jack?

Jack: What do you want from me! Is it jail you're afraid of?

Beth: Jail would be a relief!

Jack: (Holds her) Somebody's gotta solve it. Funny, yes? (Salutes) Smile, Dad. (Beat) You all right now?

(She stares at him, too angry to speak)

Jack: (Kissing her) Hang on, girl. I love you.

(Jack starts down stairs. Damon asleep. Dave, with his guitar, speaks softly to us as Jack moves, checking details on his way down, will find Anne asleep in the bird room)

Dave: The sun will rise...and creep its way even into this dark house, all unaware the moon is racing toward it, collision bound. And man, wise man, has known for a hundred hundred years, that on this exact day, at high, bright noon...the earth will darken and cool, animals tremble, mortals gape in fear of their doom... (unless the whole magilla's been postponed on account of my absence) ...as darkness comes tearing, and bites, bites, bites at the sun the source of green, of warmth, of everything. And when it is finished, total...we see at last that great god, what it is, while sky and all things turn unheard of hues, we see its cooler edge...is fire, ravenously spilling, mountainous explosions of gas. (Seeing Jack) You're up before the sun.

Damon: (Groggy) Have you considered...this ugly aggression of the moon's could be related to the new American flag on her shoulder?

Jack: (To Dave) Anne?

Dave: Finally asleep.

Damon: University of Chicago's finest.

Jack: Believe it. When she snaps to, she'll work the tail off you. Damon? (Offers his hand)

Dave: (Looks at Jack, then takes his hand) You going somewhere?

Jack: Yah.

Dave: Then I can...

Jack: Then you can nothing. I'm risking it to get us out of here. There can't be a parade.

Dave: Shit.

Jack: Ah, Damon. I don't want to inconvenience you, but...

Damon: But you want me to use the service entrance.

Jack: Wish it was that simple.

Damon: I'm invited to supper?

Jack: Sorry.

Damon: You outlaws lead a hard life. Haven't finished my business, anyway.

Jack: You want the dynamite?

Damon: Damn straight.

Jack: See you then.

Dave: Just a goddamned minute, Cowboy.

Jack: (Stops, impatient) What.

Dave: Y'clean forgot the leg irons.

Jack: What are you talking...?

Dave: Just who's the babysitter round here? Who's the head honcho?

Jack: Anne.

Dave: Anne hasn't said a coherent word since Fred Hampton's slaughter. You think you're gonna leave me here with a pile of dynamite, a bunch of hysterical women, and an itchy-fingered coon – you'd better be ready with a padlock and chains, cause that's what it's going to take.

Jack: Grow up, Dave.

Dave: Me grow up? I'm not the one playing games. If you can go, I can go. Because, either it's not so dangerous as you're making out, or you're exposing all of us, unnecessarily, because you can't take incarceration. (Beat) Or, if something's so fucking important out there, send Beth. She's less known, she slips around like a tadpole's shadow, and she needs the air a lot more than you do.

Beth: (Standing above them) It's called "underground." You called it, and you'll keep it.

Jack: You don't tell me...

Beth: To take what the rest of us take? You can't lay down the law to Anne and me, then prowl out "catting" when it gets close in the foxhole. This isn't "Jack deciding to run for Senate" – this is what's left of our cause!

(Furious, Jack heads for the door. Damon and Dave tense)

Beth: If you leave, you're out. Do not come back; do not attempt to communicate. And pray no one's casing us, or we're all finished.

Jack: (Stops) That's irrational bullsh–

Beth: Go quick. Pigs are closing in; we're holed up here with dynamite. No deniability. Won't play well on your mama's society page. This is endgame, Jack. Takes less than a fraction of your phenomenal IQ to realize you'd better get the hell away. (Beat) But if you do stay...there is a short wave to fix, and we could use it. Parts are up in the den.

Jack: (Glares at them, storms up stairs) Fucking incompetent assholes.

(Beth follows Jack)

Damon: You sure you're with these guys?

Dave: My sleek friend Panther, do not underestimate despair.

Damon: No shit! This place is a tinder box. The man snatches me here, my reputation's ruined.

(Dave surveys mess, begins gingerly gathering bundles already taped together, placing loose sticks back in the crate. Beth above, while Jack sets to work on radio, will check on Anne, and return)

Damon: (Wanting to know how it's done) What do you do with this stuff?

Dave: I'm just a rookie.

Damon: Wire, nails... Making a chicken coop?

Dave: What Anne said was we'll build these things, stockpile them, then begin drops.

Damon: We? So you the man again? (Handling nails) Mighty big nails for a chicken coop.

Dave: There's a list of targets: ROTC buildings, draft boards, napalm manufacturers, companies with military contracts or exploiting poor countries: numero uno – United Fruit. Ned and Josy were casing – places to make drops, building layouts, night-watch habits...

Damon: (Winding clock) Better make sure these suckers keep time. You didn't answer me.

Dave: What if I am the man? Might finally make me feel like I'd been there. (Filling bag with nails, tape, wire) The women do the actual drops. Dress up to look pretty. And straight.

Damon: (Picking up a blasting cap) And harmless. What's this?

Dave: Oh my god, don't...! Ah, put it down gently...and don't...open it.

Damon: (Putting down blasting cap) Hoohooo.

Dave: I mean, I don't ...remember, exactly, but...

Beth: (Just above them) I'll take care of it.

(Dave and Damon step away. Beth moves to pack the blasting caps. She is shy of Damon, doesn't look his way. A paper girl comes round the outside)

Dave: Uh...I'll see if I can get some coffee together? Lucky Anne cooks with gas.

(Damon settles back watching Beth, who expertly packs the materials. Silence)

Beth: (To Dave) Heard from Anne?

Dave: (From stove) Once she spoke, but she was asleep. Said in a child's voice "It's beautiful, but can't fly. It's made of gold."

(Beth starts down cellar steps with the bags. A loud thump – newspaper against door. All three are startled. Paper girl exits)

Dave: What is that? (Hurries to cellar stairs, calls softly) Beth? I think it's someone at the door.

Beth: Wait. (Moves quietly upstairs) Wait. (Creeps to door, sees paper on stoop, opens door a crack, takes paper to the kitchen)

Dave: (Relaxing) Ahh, the country joys. The Times at the door. Coffee's ready, Madame. (Pours for three, opens the paper) There it is... "Chicago police raid Panther..." Want me to read?

Damon: (Quickly) No.

Beth: Why don't you...take that out of here.

Dave: Sure. (Gets up with paper, cup) I'll check Anne, too.

(Dave climbs stairs. Beth and Damon alone. Silence)

Beth: Maybe when we get through this...you'll arrange a meeting between your people and...

Damon: Forget it.

Beth: Can't you see we care?

Damon: You're as soul-enlightened as they come, Miz Beth. In fact, I'm positive you'd step in front of any bullet intended for me. True? You care. But you're not honest.

Beth: I'm what?

Damon: Say you didn't know me. And we're both taking the subway. Say you're alone on the platform. And I start moving toward you, just a bit...scruffy looking. Now. Will you swear you aren't more scared – more ah nervous – than if I was white?

(Beth's small gasp)

Damon: You're not big enough to banish your fear, and I'm not big enough to pity it. I only know, on that platform, you'd rather I weren't there.

Beth: (Stares at him, then– ) You can see...I'm from pure white prairie, so Little Rock was shocking. (Beat) When I got to college there was one black girl in my dorm. Big, beautiful, talented... We loved her. We elected her head of our floor, knocked ourselves over trying to sit with her at dinner. I was radiant about the whole thing until...one day I realized I was proud of my friendship with Belinda. I thought I was a really good person for being friends with her.

Damon: Oh baby.

Beth: I raged, terrified – "How did it get there? Where did it come from? How could this poison...get into me?!

Damon: Did you find out?

Beth: Not easily. Like acid – tiny assumptions – snatches from childhood. My parents were never openly... Quite the opposite. But the worst came in a Sunday School song:. (Sings quickly)

"Jesus loves the little children

All the children of the world–

Red and yellow, black and white

They are precious in his sight

Jesus loves the little children of the world"

Nice song. But what does it say to the child singing it? That what we naturally believe, is...Jesus doesn't love all the children. (Speaks through sob) What chance did I have?

(Damon swallows, reaches to her. She clings to his arm, finally weeps, released)

Damon: Start with the truth. Feel what you really feel – afraid. There's a creature who reflects green. And blue. Not peach, rose, ivory. But green and blue. How strange. How alien. "I'll get away from that," you say. But I don't like fear. I'll overcome it. I'm better than that creature. Smarter. Cleaner. Then, stronger. Then, richer.

(Dave returns, and surprised at them together, sits on landing with a camera, examining and winding it)

Damon: It's natural. There's nothing wicked in being scared of what's strange. But let's explore, reach, make a bond – like a plank pushed over this ugly chasm. If you love someone alien, and shove away fear, revulsion, you won't automatically love his brother, but the trust love tricks you into can spill over, make your next bond easier, sooner, a step on the way to...automatic.

(Dave begins to move in on them with the camera)

Damon: Then the fear that separates, that breeds ugliness in people otherwise kind, can be calmed. We can all seek danger where it lies: in the corrupt heart. Never in the innocent skin. The difference betraying you...and me, is only a trick of the light.

Dave: (Clinking photos of the two) Gotcha. Trick a' the light, trick a' the light.

Damon: There's not enough light down here to get a picture, honk brain.

Dave: (Continues framing and clicking) Fast film, mighty fast film.

Beth: You're ruining it.

Dave: (Winding, unloading) Exposed film, Madonna; that's what it takes. You've served science. It's in the paper – birds will go to roost at midday. (Runs to pick up paper) Noon today. Imagine. In some places on the earth, they'll think the world is coming to an end. Source of light, heat, life, blotted out.

Beth: Was there anything about...

Dave: East Third? No. Probably not important enough. Remember, they didn't find dynamite. (Glancing at headlines) "Riot fever expected to drop in nation's cities this summer" Well, there's a relief. How much collapse can one old republic withstand? Here we are... "97 zillion gillion tons of bubbling gas will be in the shade for 3 minutes, 13 seconds, and temperatures all around the earth will drop 14 degrees." Think of it. Something like that can still effect us. You'd think all the horrors we concoct for each other would overshadow – note clever pun – overshadow anything mother nature could turn out. Aren't you guys hungry?

(Dave begins rummaging for food. Above, Jack pushes away from radio, startled, then descends the stairs quickly, looking to see who's there)

Jack: Where's Anne? Get her. Fast.

Dave: (Annoyed) Yes sir. (He climbs, calling) Breakfast, luv!

Beth: What's going on?

Jack: I picked up a broadcast. They're reporting the East Third raid. The arrests. Saying they have a ring leader, and... (Sees Dave leading Anne down, who seems shaky on stairs)

Beth: What!

Anne: (Direct, though hoarse) What are they saying?

Jack: ...that they're ready to move on three more "safe houses."

Anne: (Silence as they look at each other) What do you think?

Jack: That we've got to move. Now.

Anne: But if they know...

Jack: We can't be gone fast enough. It's our only chance.

Beth: If they're already staked out, we'll only save them smoking us out, fly right into their arms.

Anne: If they don't know...and we run...

Beth: We risk getting picked off on the street.

Damon: And losing the safe house.

Anne: (Surprised look at Damon. Beat) Losing everything.

Dave: But we're sitting ducks.

Jack: Only if they know.

Dave: If!

Beth: What three safe houses are there?

Anne: There aren't.

Jack: That's right. So why did they say three?

Beth: It's a bluff.

Dave: How do you know?

Beth: I don't.

Dave: And you've got no way to learn a goddamned thing! No phones, no...

Anne: Thank god we've been shut down, and that Damon pulled the juice. There've been no signs of life here since...

Dave: I'm for getting out. Now.

Beth: Jack?

Jack: Running assumes we're cornered, with no choice.

Beth: Right. Consensus?

Jack: If I set up a watch, we might be able to see if there's a stake-out – a manned vehicle nearby. And we could do raid drills. Trace the roof escape...tonight.

Beth: (Exhausted by his need to move) Anne?

Anne: ...since Damon came in and... (She's stuck, looking at Damon)

Beth: Anne?

Anne: What.

Beth: What do you think?

Anne: (Vaguely) Sure. Whatever Jack...(Starts up stairs)

Jack: (Looks at Beth, follows Anne) I can see the whole street from this window. Look.

Anne: (Ignores Jack, shakes off Beth who's run up after her) Let me be!

Dave: (Wary, watching them) Last chance at the OK corral? (His joke fades, as Beth returns) Guess Anne's still off somewhere with Freddy?

(Beth shaken, doesn't reply, sits)

Damon: (Watching Beth) Anne was never the dangerous one...

Dave: Danger make anybody else ravenous? (Goes back to refrigerator)

Damon: ...Beth is. You all right, Babe?

Dave: We're gonna need our strength.

Beth: (Still staring ahead, determined to keep them moving) Damon...

Damon: I hear you.

(No break in dialogue while above: Jack watches street; Anne lost, starts back down)

Beth: What if we renounce our privilege?

Damon: (Puzzled, then gets it– ) That won't make us equals. I never had a position to renounce.

Dave: Banana bread! Hey!

Beth: But you have to give us a chance to...

Damon: You can't be trusted; you're self-destructing because you're riddled with self-hate.

Beth: And you're not?

Damon: Oooh, stepped in it.

Beth: You sure did.

Damon: Right on, sister. (Hiss) Sick.

Dave: Anne or no Anne, the pigs are going to find us!

(Anne continues down to cellar, disappears without being noticed. Damon and Beth intense– )

Damon: But most of my fight is clean. Another congressional seat, another seat on the bus. Risk for commensurate gain. We're not on a suicide trip.

Dave: (Coming with tray) My point exactly.

Damon: And when we overcome our self-hate, it's a giant stride. But if you overcome yours...

Beth: I lose, because the oppressor is me.

Dave: Will you stuff the philosophy, and think a minute!

Damon: My enemy is clearly another color. That's simple. While you...

Beth: ...have to hate my own father. Whom I also love.
Dave: (Sighing) How does Anne take her coffee?

Damon: I can believe my father's sold his manhood, but...

Beth: But you don't have to defy him. What you do will help him. (To Dave) Light.

Dave: Light. Perfect. (He runs up the stairs)

Beth: If I follow through, I'll blow up everything my father has built.

Damon: We ain't...on the same block.

Dave: (Stands, above) Anne's not up here. Did she come down...?

Beth: (Listening to Dave, stands) No. (Quietly) The door...?

Dave: (Moving back to door level) Still bolted from the inside. She hasn't broken lock-down, shut down, whatever the hell you call it. (Runs on up stairs)

Beth: Check the bathroom. I'll try the garden. (Moves around behind stairs)

Dave: (Calling down) Not here.

Damon: (Still sitting) The cellar. (Moves down to cellar)

Jack: (On stairs) What the fuck's...?

Dave: Anne. Have you seen her?

Jack: No. She'll be somewhere. It's her house.

Damon: (In cellar) Anne. You down here, babe?

(Noise of tools falling. Anne appears from back, dragging something)

Damon: There you are. What you up to?

(Anne is dragging a hose. Beth coming down to cellar)

Damon: Gardening?

Beth: (Steps in front of crates of dynamite) What are you doing with the hose, Anne?

Anne: (Calmly) Get out of my way.

Dave: Has she got the water running?

Beth: (Focusing on Anne) Of course she has.

Dave: (On cellar stairs) My god, she'll ruin the dyna –

Beth: Be quiet.

Dave: She wants to destroy the evidence.

Beth: Hell she does. She wants King to forgive her.

Jack: (Calling from upstairs) Find her?

Beth: (Quietly) Tell Jack it's all right. (Beat) Take it back, Anne.

Anne: Will you move?

Beth: No.

(Dave scoots up to kitchen level, calls quietly to Jack, then will move carefully back downstairs)

Anne: I don't want to get you wet.

Beth: You just want to sink the ship. That's sabotage. You don't have the right.

Anne: I made the wrong decision.

Beth: We made. If there was a wrong decision it's we who'll change it.

Anne: But I led you. I said the war had to come home. I picked up the gun. (Emotion shakes her) But when the violence, when the best people...are splattered...?

Beth: Then fuck the revolution? You're taking the whole thing too goddamn personally. You think you're responsible for what happened to Fred Hampton, and Martin Luther King.

Anne: Not for King.

Beth: Right. King is your vendetta. But there's nothing personal about revolution. Not if you're going to win. The only time we were innocents was J.F.K. When Bobby's turn came we expected it. What the massacre of Fred Hampton proves is the pigs have declared war. They've stopped pretending this is democracy. So. You've screeched "revolution" a long time. Now it's here, are you in it or not?

Anne: (Pause) You're right. I can't decide for anyone else. But this action is over.

Beth: I can't accept that.

Anne: You know we're finished. (Lets the hose hang loosely; Beth takes it from her)

Dave: (Quietly) Come on, Anne. I've got us some breakfast made. Let's have it in the garden. (Putting his arm round her) Hedges are high enough?

(Anne looks at Damon, begins to climb stairs. Beth stares after her)

Dave: (Follows Anne , chattering) There's crocuses, spring sun. It'll be overhead by noon. Everyone'll watch it. Maybe that's the moment to run?

Beth: (Desperate) Anne.

Anne: (Stops, turns, says lovingly to Beth) I'm so sorry the bird can't fly.

Beth: It will. I promise you. All we've done is not for nothing. It will fly...beautifully.

(Anne smiles. Dave picks up tray and film. Jack joins them in garden. Beth watches them go)

Dave: Two thicknesses of exposed film; you look through it until the instant before totality. Then for that one instant you can look with your eyes, and not be blinded. It's an incredible sight, the last flash before darkness, the colors, the shooting fire.

Damon: (When they've disappeared) Glad to see you standing solid, Miz Beth, cause I need you to go to work. (Answers Beth's look) Teach me to use it. The dynamite.

Beth: That's why you stayed.

Damon: Yeeup.

Beth: I can't.

Damon: Then what you gonna do with it? Look where you're sitting, girl. What's the chance you get free to use this stuff? Far more likely the pig's gonna find you with it, and put you all away. Then where's your revolution. So you telling me you can't teach me? Or you won't.

Beth: Glad you know the consequences. Once we use this, we've lost any chance to effect society lawfully. We'll be admitting defeat – that we have no hope of stopping this war, or of changing anything. But you're the real revolutionary, Damon – you've a program, a constituency, a chance of winning. You can't throw that away.

Damon: And you?

Beth: You said it: we're just spoiled, ineffectual children. Because we don't know how, because no one believes us, because we're our own enemies.

Damon: Then why'd you stop Anne from hosing it down?

Beth: We have to use it! They've got to believe we mean it. They've got to be afraid. Nobody doubts you. All you have to do is step out firmly in a group of three to raise terror in 90% of whites. You've got everything to gain.

Damon: I'm not thinking gains; this is survival. And I don't mean self-defense. I mean self! You whimper how no one believes you don't mean to be rich. How do you think we're going to convince ourselves, let alone anyone else, that we do mean to be human. A great leader...who guided us mildly, in love, to better ourselves, was brutally invaded, in his sleep, and butchered – by the law. (Beat) What will it do to our children, to say "We have no recourse." (Picking up stick of dynamite) So let's just say, we need it – for the soul.

Beth: (Tears flowing) They'll wipe you out, Damon! Don't you see that? If this...that happened can happen, then there's nothing to stop them. They didn't even try to hide it. If you give the pigs an excuse, they'll incinerate you, and say you fired first. Please...let us do it, let us create the explosion. It doesn't matter what they do to us. We can serve.

Damon: And bear the white man's burden?! God forbid, the Indian get the rifle. They should have stayed peaceful. They should have been robbed and shot, ejected from their land, raped of their civilization...in peace?!

(Seeing his rage, Beth's eyes brighten and clear; she knows what to do, and moves to dynamite)

Beth: All right. Come here.

Damon: (Not quite believing her) You sure? You're solid?

Beth: (Rips open crate, takes eight sticks, sets them) Why not? Am I a Nazi playing Beethoven? No. If this is going to be, then I'm going to do it. I'm not going to say somebody else pulled the trigger. (Setting out hardware) It's got to be pure. It's a tool. You tape eight sticks together to make a bundle. Handle it carefully. (Expertly wrapping sticks) You pick up the gun; you respect it's efficiency; you value your skill; you kill the person who would kill you. If you're brave you pick it up. Only the coward refuses. (Finishes wrapping) And me? I've seen enough misery, enough injustice, enough people who starve...and I know who pulled the trigger on them: it's in the glazed eyes of my comfortable parents. Now. (Tearing pieces of tape, laying them out) You lay the tape out, sticky side up, to add armor – nails, that shoot out like shrapnel, when it explodes. (Spreading nails on tape) I've gathered enough rage. It's eaten my guts out. I hate in abundance: I hate the greed of this country, the self-serving politicians, the rock-faced military...and me. I hate me. (Finished laying nails, tapes them onto bundle, but her movements are unsteady) So there's no reason I shouldn't be able to make this bomb. I just have to be sure I intend each thing I do. Like the GI who shoots the subversive baby. The only reason he goes crazy is he didn't believe enough in his hate. And I'm very sure I believe in...uhh... (Clings to bundle, nauseous)

Damon: You all right, Beth?

Beth: I keep thinking I'm in the Nam jungle, scared. I see a helmet move; I toss a grenade; it lands on the edge of a pit. The lid rises. I'm afraid the guy in it will toss it back at me. The lid rises...but it's Maya. She's pulling her dead father out of the pit... (Gasps, runs, vomits)

Damon: My dear Saint Joan, it's a sign of hope.

Beth: (Returning) I'm sorry.

Damon: Let me get you something. Water?

Beth: Would you? Mint tea. From the deli on the corner.

Damon: (Surprised) You know, Saint Joan cried over the wounded, but it never stopped her.

Beth: (Shakes her head weakly) Big difference.

Damon: Is there? ...alarmed her family, outraged the community....

Beth: No one thought she could win, but...she loved her country.

Damon: Why so do you.

Beth: Oh my god, who can understand that.

Damon: You. And me. (Long pause, holding her hands) Mint tea.

Beth: I'd really like some. Here's my key.

Damon: (Takes it, hesitates) Uhh...

Beth: Go the front way. Won't hurt.

Damon: Be back in a second.

Beth: Damon?

Damon: Yeah, babe.

Beth: Don't rush. The neighbors might wonder.

Damon: Yeah, right. You okay?

Beth: Fine now. I'll take care of everything. Just get outta here.

(Damon leaves, humming "Jesus Loves The Little Children". Beth alone, begins attaching blasting cap to the bundle, then the battery to the blasting cap)

(Giant EXPLOSION. Newscast of eclipse in background. Then BLACK. Eclipse broadcast segues into music: "When The Ship Comes In")

END OF PLAY

Native Land

Native Land

Rejuvenating America...

SETTING: An American city, not long ago. Needs only large projections, and:

Act I: a staircase, easy chair, couch, coffee table, doorways, belonging to a large old house

Act II: a hospital bed, simulation of an electronic hook-up, monitoring control panel and chairs

CHARACTERS:

JEN college sophomore, political science. Bright, attractive, eager to follow her infamous parents if she can find out who they "really" were.

ALAN Jen's father, newspaper editor a mountain of a man – the kind you build a city around – stubbornly himself, eloquent, reformer, fighting his way back.

KATE Jen's mother, MD, brain researcher. Brilliant – was enchanting fiery, intuitive, but has smothered her passion in a civilized life.

MIKE old college friend, attorney elegant charmer – witty. poetic, sensual, open-hearted – has crashed, is determined to rekindle the past.

JAMY Jen's brother, rebellious 13, an enigma – self-absorbed, driven, searching, uncommunicative, and uncontrollable – a kid, who makes perfect sense to himself.

GAIA apparently ancient bag lady, eccentric, profane, inarticulate, but certain of her mission, and at ease with natural powers.

Native Land

Scrims, front and back. In between, skeletal indications of a grand old house. Upstage door leads to kitchen and back door. A staircase to upper level. Downstage, partial frame of front door.

At the beginning, all is dark. Then front scrim gradually lights with colors of stormy autumn. Sound of wind, thunder. High up, boy sitting, hands on his knees.

Jamy: Let me try, Gaia. I think I can see now.

(On scrim – cavernous excavation of city slum. Emerging from shadows behind boy, an ageless ragged woman puts hand her on him)

Gaia: Look back, boy. Deep under earth, long ago. Eda's time.

Jamy: OK, watch – here I go. (He slowly extends both hands)

(Wind howls. Scrim fades in time from the excavation to the city slum as it was, then to Main Street 1930's, then to a frontier town, then an Indian camp, then wilderness...)

Jamy: Yes! Can you see? Stones. Piled, then crumbled...

(Distant cheering begins. Sound of rain)

Jamy: (Gets to his feet) Yes! There are tiles! I see white ones, Gaia. Under the river. Are they yours?

Gaia: Careful, boy. Don't fall!

(Cheering builds as Jamy goes dark, scrim "wilderness" jumps forward to a '60's anti-war rally, and a silhouette stands in bright doorway to an offstage kitchen)

Jen: (From doorway, calling) Dad? (Beat) Dad, you there?

(Rally fades, while Alan in armchair is becoming lit. Rain)

Alan: (Deep in thought) Yes.

Jen: You alright?

Jen: Nah, late Sunday. Got an 8:30 on Monday. Poli-Sci. (Opens off-stage refrigerator) Was that a snigger? Jeezuz, who tracked in all the muck! I'm telling you we can say goodbye to Indian summer. Looks like it's set to storm till New Year's. Hey, what's this? Box got my name on it?

Alan: Something Mimi gave me to give you.

Jen: From Gramma? Great. How's she like Seniors' Castle? That's what she calls the place. Bet everybody's getting packages – she's got acres of stuff she won't have room for. (Opening soda can) Listen – really liked the second section piece on the Project: "Homeless by Decree." Who gets the by-line for that? (Comes to lean in doorway with soda) Mom's not home?

Alan: (Not moving) They want to draft me, Jen.

Jen: Draft you?

Alan: What do you think?

Jen: Get real.

Alan: For Governor.

Jen: Governor. The Governor?

Alan: Pretty hard up, huh?

Jen: You're kidding! Would you do it?

Alan: (Pause) No.

(Back door slam)

Jen: No?

(Kate in kitchen door, totally exhausted, and preoccupied with her missing son– )

Kate: Isn't Jamy here?

Jen: Mom!

Kate: You beat me, Chicken Little. Give a hug. What do you feel like eating?

Jen: Anything! I'm like roaring.

Kate: Did Jamy come home at all? He didn't show at the lab. I had plenty of work for him. (Perches on arm of Alan's chair)

Alan: Jamy was here; banged in and out.

Kate: He didn't tell you where he was going?

Alan: He doesn't have much to say to me, does he?

Kate: Alan.

Alan: Does he?

Kate: You have to ask. He has to answer.

Jen: Thought you were due for a vacation, Mom.

Kate: Hummmph.

Alan: (An arm around Kate) Not while there's a live brain available for hookup, she isn't.

Kate: Alan?

Alan: I don't know. He dragged boxes around, got into cupboards...

Jen: You mean you missed the "Delta in Spring" out here?

Kate: Delta in... What?

Jen: There's mud all over the place.

Kate: Mud? Then it's the Project. He's down there again. I saw the fence torn away.

Jen: How about Chinese?

Kate: What? (Stretching out on couch) Oh, terrific idea. Want to call?

Alan: His teacher called this morning. Seems we need to arrange-a-meeting.

Kate: Grades?

Alan: Who knows? He left word at the city desk.

Jen: Oh-oh, I can see it now – "Editor Summoned to Junior High to Discuss Son's Recalcitrance."

Alan: Smart lip. Is that what we sent her to study?

Jen: (Going to kitchen to telephone) Yup.

Alan: Tired?

Kate: A zombie.

Jen: (Leaning through door, phone in hand) What'll it be, the usual?

Kate: Hell, let's celebrate. Get sesame noodles too. Spinach.

Jen: Wow wow wow. Do I, uh, order for Jamy?

Kate: (Annoyed) Of course you do.

Jen: Oooo, is he in trouble?

Alan: I tried to reach you at noon.

Kate: I was six hours at the screen. Grabbed lunch at two, then back for another six. If they didn't sweep up, I'd never make it home.

Alan: So I noticed. (Beat) See anything exciting?

Kate: (Curt laugh) If people knew cocaine was so dull, they'd take two aspirin and run around the bed.

(Jen returns, sits on floor, opening a shirt-size box)

Jen: OK, dinner in twelve minutes. Or so they say.

Kate: What you got, Honey?

Jen: Something from Gramma.

Kate: Aiiee, the Gorgon strikes.

Jen: Mom.

Kate: How was it at Mimi's court? Forgot all about the quarterly meeting.

Alan: Take it easy.

Kate: You mean she didn't demand your divorce?

Jen: Look at this. (Mystified by contents of box)

Alan: It's worse than I thought. And the board's behind her. They want to cut production by half.

Kate: What?

Jen: No shit.

Alan: And no more wage-gap editorials. Generic term – "Wage-Gap"

Kate: She can't do that.

Jen: Sure can.

Alan: I've lost 34% of advertising. She can do as she likes.

Kate: Circulation is way up.

Alan: At half a buck a shot? Tell that to Donaldson's. They pulled their ads today.

Jen: What do you think these are? (She is picking up curved pieces of lace, cotton, organdy)

Kate: Beautiful. (Jen hands her a piece) Are they...collars?

Jen: Daddy?

Alan: (Sighs) Yes...Mimi made them. When she was starting college.

Kate: (Shaking her head) That woman.

Jen: Oh, she told me: her wardrobe was one woolen dress, cause that's all she could afford. So she made all these collars to change her look, make people think she had more.

Kate: An austerity lesson then. Which you do have use for. Come on, Honey, give us your news. We could use a pick-me-up.

Jen: My news? Who's got news that won't get shoved to page three. Didn't he tell you?

Kate: What. What's happened?

Alan: Jen...

Jen: Jen, what?

Alan: It's not...

Kate: (Pause) What's going on please?

Jen: He's only been asked to run for Governor.

Kate: (Stiffens) You have?

Alan: A...committee came by this afternoon.

Jen: Before or after Gramma's meeting?

Alan: I thought they just wanted to arrange coverage of the nominating caucus.

Jen: Way cool! Isn't it?!

Kate: (Gets up, moves away) It's...certainly an honor.

Jen: You look like... (Beat) What's with you two?

Kate: What was said?

Alan: Nothing much. Usual stuff I guess. My name raised, recognized pillar, they hoped I'd concur...

Jen: I don't get it. You're acting like it's the IRS.

Kate: Please, Jennel.

Jen: All right, I don't exist!

Alan: They did mention...Mike.

(Dimly, the anti-war rally begins to appear on the scrim)

Kate: (Startled) I don't believe it.

Alan: I know. But he's been practicing here since August. Put my name up.

Kate: Since August?

Alan: Whitman, Benuto, and Lang.

Kate: Why hasn't he called?

Jen: Mike who? What is this.

Kate: (Beat. Then avoids– ) Jamy might be with Rick. I'll call Rick's. (She leaves)

Jen: You running away? Great move.

Alan: Cool it, Ms.

Jen: That's what I like about finally being adult. People pay attention to you.

Alan: Adult?

Jen: What "Mike" put your name up?

Alan: You're about as avoidable as sixth-grade basketball.

Jen: So pretend it's time-out. What Mike?

Alan: An old friend.

Jen: Friend? You don't sound so sure.

Alan: We...disagreed last time I saw him.

Jen: When was that?

Alan: Do they teach you anything at that college besides cross-examination?

Jen: Oh, frig it. I'm lucky I got this one Poli-Sci course. There's this bull about how you can't specialize till junior year. They expect me to waddle around in Asian History and Particle Physics.

Alan: You think that's not politics?

Jen: It's a waste.

Alan: Gotta rush right out and make your pile, huh?

Jen: Before it's all spoken for, yeah.

Alan: Jen, it's time we had a talk about money.

Jen: Whoa, back up. This conversation did a somersault.

Alan: Oh?

Jen: Yeah, and it's me with water up the nose. You're avoiding the issue!

Alan: I thought the issue was your avarice.

Jen: You're gonna make a super Governor!

Alan: Cut!

(Jen clamps her mouth shut, prances silent, three seconds, then–)

Jen: So why's Mom strung out? I thought they finally gave her her own lab.

Alan: Yeah, they admit she's up to something important, but nobody quite gets it. So she's racing to finalize her data for a conference in Paris.

Jen: So who's this Mike?

Alan: Jennel, take a breath. Hold it. Let it out...slow. Now. For one minute, consider your own affairs. Are you quiet?

(Jen sighs, pouts, flops down)

Alan: Good. Now: I expect an item by item audit of your month's expenditures. Are you...

(Doorbell)

Jen: Tadah!

(Jen puts her hand out for money. Alan sighs, and gives her some)

Jen: (Flouncing to front door) Saved by sesame green noodles? How ignoble.

Alan: I'll get you later.

Jen: (Opening door) Da dump dadah!

(Mike stands holding bags of Chinese food. Jen thrown off-guard. In his custom-tailored worsted, he's clearly no delivery boy)

Mike: (Smooth) I'm gonna be soaked in a minute, Jennel. So if you're up for sharing, I think there's enough for all of us.

Jen: (Without knowing who he is) Why not? Seeing you paid. You did pay the boy?

Mike: (Steps in) Thanks. Easier than I thought.

Jen: You will have to introduce yourself.

Alan: (Standing, at distance, cold) It's Mike Benuto, Jen.

Jen: Ahh, that Mike.

Mike: (Tension between them) How are you, Alan? (Pause) She's quite a young lady.

Alan: What are you doing here?

Jen: Woman. (Hands Alan back his money)

Mike: (Avoiding the question– ) Choose your ground, Alan...

Jen: Young woman. Thank you.

Mike: ...Parkside Terrace or City Slope?

Alan: You think you can show up out of nowhere and...

Mike: (Nudging Alan into their old debating format) My money's on Parkside.

Alan: That isn't a choice, it's a pile of opportunistic...

Mike: Then you are with "old money."

Jen: Is this about the Project?

(Kate returning, sees Mike and stops, unnoticed)

Alan: Old money, nothing. City Slope is the only plan with integrity, vision...

Mike: And palace gardens sweeping to a waterside "Chateau."

Jen: What are you talking about?

Alan: That hotel is needed. And "Park"-side is a strip of grass between condominiums!

Mike: A convention chateau, fine, but with a sub-shopping arcade? The Downtown boys can't see that that's needed.

Kate: (Quiet, avoiding emotion of meeting Mike) What about housing?

Mike: Kate! (Spins to look at her)

Kate: Something a waitress could afford.

Jen: (To Kate, surprised– ) Didn't know you cared.

Alan: Stay out of this, Jennel. (To Mike) You think Downtown wants to be squeezed by tasteless hunks of...

Mike: (Eyes on Kate, arguing with Alan) Condos mean people, who wander onto the street with change to spend. You checked Downtown at noon lately? Not even a ghost.

Alan: You see condo dwellers on the street? They don't have legs!

Kate: Shut up, you're making me sick.

Mike: Kate, the fantastic fanatic, and Alan with his swift uppercut – we're back!

Kate: I'll puke in a minute. I feel it. (She bangs a fist into her stomach)

Jen: (Stunned) Mom, I've never seen you...

Kate: (Tops Jen– ) There are people freezing!

(Everyone silenced, winded)

Jen: (Timid) Wow. Is this what you guys called the war at home?

Kate: (Beat. Strained) I want to know where Jamy is. Rick hasn't seen him.

Mike: Jamy?

Kate: (She finally softens) Hello Mike.

Alan: All right, if he's not here in fifteen, I'll go looking.

Mike: About time we met up?

Kate: Could have been the checkout at Wal-Mart.

Mike: Not a chance.

(Strong feeling between them; Alan watches. Jen opening bag of food, pulls out champagne)

Jen: We never ordered this.

Mike: Comes special tonight with every seventeenth order of sesame noodles.

(Kate erupts laughing)

Jen: Ice it, Mom?

(Jen hands bottle to Kate, who takes it to kitchen)

Jen: Did I used to untie your shoelaces or something?

Mike: Something.

Jen: Before or after Canada.

Mike: (Beat. Mike looks at Alan) Mostly before.

Jen: Good question, huh?

Mike: Astute young uh, woman.

Alan: Not much escapes. (Checks watch, uneasy pause) So what you been up to?

Mike: Not much.

Alan: Still no woman to bring to the door?

Mike: To bring here? Know one good enough?

Alan: (Pointed) We both do.

Mike: But you've already got her.

Alan: Right.

Mike: (Beat) Did try it for size, though. Nice girl. Whole thing – rings and silverware.

Alan: I'm sorry.

Mike: Nahh, pinched something awful. Not my style.

Alan: Never was.

(Kate is returning to stand in doorway)

Mike: Look...Mimi's chandelier! She made me stand up there and clean every one of those crystals.

Jen: She can't come down off the hill anymore.

Mike: I heard. I'm sorry.

Jen: She gets along. If you were a "mostly before" Canada, then...

Mike: Bet she hates what Kate's done to her house.

Kate: What Kate hasn't done is more to the point.

Mike: You never did belong in a house.

Kate: No.

Mike: Your dad would be proud of the paper, Alan.

Alan: Mike, don't even...

Mike: I mean it.

Alan: (To Mike) What's this about! Can we eat, Kate?

Jen: (Scrambling to her feet) I'll get the stuff.

Kate: No we can't.

Jen: (Running to kitchen) Don't talk without me.

Alan: Come on, It's past nine.

Kate: We're not all here!

Mike: I see some angles coming together, Alan.

Alan: And you've been lying in wait? You didn't let us pick sides; I didn't even know there was a game.

Mike: Maybe I was just...getting up nerve.

Alan: Like "Whitman, Benuto & Lang"?

Mike: Got a swing to it?

Alan: Platinum. What else do you need?

Mike: You. (Beat) The whole structure here is stuck. Not only this Project. Course the Council's deadlocked over it, but urban renewal is just a symptom.

Alan: Nothing to do with me. Your firm is handling the condo plan?

(Jen returns carrying tray with plates, chopsticks, cups)

Mike: Yes, but I wouldn't skip a beat over this if it weren't pointing to something darker.

Alan: What? It's simply old money versus main street.

Mike: But when neither has a candidate to run, where are we?

Alan: Forget it.

Kate: Why doesn't anybody consider the real need?!

Alan: The Project is prime real estate, Kate. It has to make big profits, to draw big taxes or there won't be any social programs.

Kate: You're getting good at this. (She moves away to look out window)

Alan: Ask Jen. She aced urban planning.

Kate: Jen's a capitalist.

Alan: The Project isn't stuck, Mike; it's just that there's a blind tract left.

Mike: Blind?

Alan: As soon as the owner's uncovered, it will be slugged out accordingly. Whichever side that owner decides to give the nod to...

Mike: Why would anyone be anonymously hanging onto lots?

Jen: Whether or not I'm a capitalist, it is embarrassing that post-industrial society has a whole class of people labeled "unsheltered."

(Back door slam)

Kate: Thank God. (Calls) Jamy!

Mike: Jamy. About...(Measuring with hands)...this long, with fat cheeks?

Jen: If you knew Jamy, how come I don't remember you?

(Mike looks at Jen, takes a breath, doesn't answer)

Kate: Jamy!

Jamy: (Pause. Off) Yeah?

Kate: Come out here! Where have you been? (Pause) Jamy?

Jamy: (Off) Nowhere.

Alan: Jamy! Get out here.

(Jamy appears in the doorway – dirty, torn clothes, his arm and hand scraped, bleeding. He's "cool" at all costs, but hurting, and painfully withdrawn)

Kate: (Standing) My god.

Jamy: Whadda you want?

Kate: You've been at the Project, haven't you.

Jamy: Yeah. So?

(Kate moves to him, reaches for his arm. He shies away)

Kate: Let me see it.

Jamy: It's nothing.

Kate: Yeah, I know.

(Kate examines Jamy's arm; he bites his lip to hide his pain)

Jen: Hello, yourself.

Jamy: Jen.

Jen: You smell like a burned-out building.

Jamy: Thanks.

Alan: Your mother expected you at the lab. Right after school.

Jamy: I forgot.

Alan: Again? What do you suppose we can do about that?

Jen: What do you want at the Project anyway? It's an abandoned slum.

Jamy: Not abandoned. They were kicked out.

Kate: What happened to you?

Jamy: Nothing. I just slid...

Kate: By the excavation?

Alan: Those lots are fenced for a reason. No one's supposed to be there.

Kate: What if you fell?

Jamy: Aww, Mom.

Kate: Aww, Mom, nothing. Look at you!

Jamy: Lots of guys go in.

Kate: To do what? Who were you with?

Jamy: Nobody. A friend.

Kate: From school?

Jamy: (Beat) I'm going up.

Kate: Yes, go on up. I'm coming.

Jamy: (Going) Forget it. I don't need anything.

Kate: Yeah, I know.

(Jamy disappears upstairs)

Jen: There you have it – The Brady Bunch goes slumming.

Mike: He wouldn't know me anyway.

Jen: Can we finally eat?

Kate: Rick said he hasn't seen Jamy for days. The rest of the guys won't go near the Project – because of the pushers.

Alan: Terrific. You need anything?

Kate: We did lay in a gallon of peroxide, didn't we? (Goes upstairs)

Jen: (Reaching to open cartons) We'll save you some, Mom.

Mike: (As they begin eating) So that's baby Jamy.

Alan: Basically.

Mike: I didn't expect him so tall.

Alan: Happens.

Jen: If you were a "mostly-before" Canada...

Alan: Jennel.

Jen: ...how'd you make the transition from long hair to Scottish wool suits.

Mike: (Stares at Alan) By way of a uniform, Ma'm.

Jen: (Looking from Mike to Alan) Ah-oops.

Mike: (Breaks stare by shaking his head at Jen) Amazing.

Alan: Reminds you of Kate?

Mike: Yes and no. Same impudent fire.

Jen: Mom had fire?

Mike: What's happened to her Alan?

Alan: Happened – because you're M.I.A. for what, fifteen years...

Mike: Not quite.

Alan: ...you think she should be sitting here...

Mike: Kate used to dream for us all, then we'd make it true.

Alan: And?

Mike: She's shut down, locked up.

Alan: Took you fifteen whole minutes to perceive that? God, you've got nerve!

Mike: Alan. I know her.

Alan: And I know you!

(Alan cuts short his anger, breathes, lets down. Mike waits. Jen wide-eyed– )

Alan: (Admitting) She never accepted the way people think here.

Mike: But she went back to medicine. That should release...

Alan: But not to practice or teach, God forbid she make money; she's locked on a damn machine all day.

(Brain waves – electrical impulses tracked through brain – appear on scrim. Jen ventures, light– )

Jen: Come on, she's still with dreams. She's just gone internal – (Rattles off– ) dreams, hallucinations, isolation, hyperventilation, memories...

Alan: To prove what?

Jen: ...syphilis, marathons, voodoo, yoga, starvation...

Alan: That they lead nowhere.

Mike: Nowhere?!

Alan: The brain signal from each of these states goes up on her screen, and she's busy proving they're all the same.

Mike: But that's the opposite of what she wanted to prove. Brain signals are only part of what she...

Alan: Electrodes don't lie.

Mike: But that's not Kate! Her thing was – if we used just 10% more of our brain we'd be able to cross into other dimensions at will!

Jen: Whoa!

Alan: Tell her that now, she'd hoot you out of her lab.

Jen: "Other dimensions" are as dead to her as the Democratic Party.

Mike: Don't tell me...

Alan: I'm telling you – bring her a fantasy, and she'll fry it.

Jen: And it's working. I cross-referenced her on the library's data base. Four hundred fifty one entries, sports fans! They're quoting her like mad.

Alan: Remember acid visions? She's got 'em graphed – merely nerve tracks on the back of your eyeball.

Jen: And the big boys are about to admit she can hook into people's dreams.

Mike: You trying to tell me there's no "expanded" consciousness?

Alan: No brave new universe.

Mike: No messages from the great beyond?

Alan: You got it.

Mike: Now wait a minute. You can't explain away premonitions. People do get them.

Alan: She has that on the agenda for tomorrow: Zap premonitions.

(They all laugh. Above, Jamy yowls, and is spot-lit as Kate cleans his wound, binds it)

Kate: Hold still.

Jamy: Aren't you done yet?

Kate: Almost. Gotta clean it. (Pause) You knew we'd be angry, Jamy.

Jamy: Yeah...

Kate: Then why did you go there again?

Jamy: I had to help, Mom. I had to.

Kate: Help who?

Jamy: (Little yelp, then– ) My friend Gaia.

Kate: Lift up now.

Jamy: Mom, It's bad in there.

Kate: I know. That's why we don't want you out...

Jamy: Who owns it?

Kate: The Project?

Jamy: Who made it like that? Who gets to say?

Kate: I don't know – developers, the city...

Jamy: People live there, Mom.

(Below, Jen pipes up, while Kate looks at Jamy, and their light fades)

Jen: What was Nam like?

(Mike, thrown off guard, looks to Alan)

Alan: You're excused, Jennel.

Jen: All right, all right. Thank you, and yes, I have studying to do.

(Kate comes quickly down the stairs. Mike stands)

Alan: How is he?

Jen: He's not coming down?

(Kate moves to food without answering, and begins to fill a plate)

Alan: Kate?

Kate: He doesn't want to.

Jen: You spoil him rotten. He needs his head bashed in.

Alan: Is he all right?

Kate: I think so. Did he get a Tetanus this fall?

Alan: Last year, wasn't it? It's twelve that gets everything.

Kate: Twelve. God, twelve. I'm just glad he's home.

Alan: Did he say what he's up to?

Kate: No. Hanging out, "helping".

Alan: Great. You know what kind of characters are...

Kate: He's not telling the whole story. And something about it is very important to him.

Alan: Did you find out who he was with?

Kate: Someone he met there, named Gaia. He wants to go out again.

Alan: What!

Kate: I told him no, he's grounded, that's it.

Jen: Good. How long?

Kate: So he's staying upstairs.

Alan: Here. You sit. Let me take that. (Takes plate Kate filled for Jamy)

Kate: Great. Good luck.

Jen: How long?

Alan: You said you have studying, young woman?

Jen: Yeah sure. You done, Mike?

(Kate flops, exhausted, shuts her eyes. Jen clears plates, goes to kitchen. Mike watching Kate. Alan starts up the stairs)

Alan: You can ask her yourself.

Mike: Sure.

(Kate opens her eyes. Silence while they look at each other)

Kate: Ask her what?

Mike: (Begins filling remaining plate) You haven't eaten.

Kate: Thank you, not now.

Mike: Won't let me feed you? (Puts plate down. Pause) So. You're into people's heads?

(Kate laughs lightly, then laughs more – it's a release)

Mike: What's so funny.

Kate: Are you putting on for the occasion or do you still talk that way?

Mike: Bit of both. But, no – "into people's heads" was deliberate. That was calculated.

Kate: To do what.

Mike: To make you laugh?

(She looks at him and away quickly)

Mike: Ooo, keep it light, Benuto. (Beat) So: Yes. Well – the phrase could be taken practically-spiritually, technically-metaphorically, objectively-subjectively, but let me put it this way: Have you anywhere in your excursions into the brain stumbled upon the mind?

Kate: Ohh, Michael.

Mike: Or, have you decided it isn't in the brain at all, but maybe...

Kate: I haven't time to daydream. I've too much to learn.

Mike: About circuits and charges – which cells govern what?

Kate: If you like.

Mike: Whether if we graft this slab of tissue to that, I'll wake up writing with my left hand?

Kate: I wouldn't waste my time on you.

Mike: But if, if, on the way to making my odd-hand coordinate, you happened to misplace my imagination or intuition, you would say it was "beside the point" of your experiment. Right?

Kate: It would be.

Mike: And so I submit: your immortal soul is in danger.

Kate: (Locking eyes, pause) And I bet you think we had a deeper relationship with the ocean before we'd seen its bottom, whereas...

Mike: ...whereas the more we learn, the more I believe there are sea monsters.

(Kate erupts laughing)

Mike: Stop laughing. This is serious.

Kate: I know, I know. But there are!

Mike: There are what?

Kate: Giant creatures. On the bottom of the sea.

(Both laugh to a stop)

Kate: What are you doing here, Mike.

Mike: (Looks at her, beat, challenges– ) Your daughter doesn't know you're made of fire?

Kate: Because I'm not.

(A thump, above. Kate jumps)

Kate: (Calls) Alan?

Alan: (Appears at the top of the stairs) Just shut the hall window. (Starts down) It's starting to blow out there. Remind me to weather-strip before it freezes. This place is leaking at the seams.

Kate: Is he quiet?

Alan: Yeah. He's impressed with the bandage. Nice work.

Kate: What did he say?

(Jen entering with champagne, three glasses)

Alan: Made no sense at all. He doesn't admit to the pushers.

Kate: He may not know.

Alan: If the other guys know, he knows. (Picking up champagne bottle) He just went on and on about the Project. Who owns it anyway? And before that? And before that?

Kate: Indians. (Beat) Right?

Jen: Wrong. Indians believe that land cannot be owned.

Alan: I'm supposed to get that? (Fumbling with seal) Damn this thing. (Carries bottle to the kitchen)

Kate: Half the time I can't follow him. You just have to hang in there till it comes clear.

Alan: (Disappearing) Well I don't have your perception...

Kate: Just prepare for shock, and don't second guess.

Alan: (Off) ...or your patience!

Jen: (Starting up the stairs) Hey, guys.

Mike: You won't join us, Jen? We agreed to share, remember?

Jen: Later. Might have to drive you home.

Mike: God, kids have changed.

Alan: (Off) Nah, they've just done it all. They're old and bored.

Jen: I called off David, Mom. He wanted to hang, but I've got Expansionist History to crack. Besides, it's nasty out there. (Disappears above)

Mike: (Calling after her) That's just when your mother'd have gone out.

Alan: (Off, cork pops) Mike tell you he was married?

Kate: (Surprise) No.

Alan: (Off) But I take it it's "was" with a capital W.

Kate: Oh.

Mike: Happens to the worst of us. Just after I got out. Short-lived.

Kate: No children?

Mike: No.

Alan: (Entering with open bottle) That's well. One should not bring children along on a sometime thing. Should they. Now: let each one speak his true mind, as we gather in the name of the innocent, or was it the nation...let's get down to it.

Mike: Yea, team!

Alan: (Handing them glasses, pouring) Mike. My dear. Myself. Here's to what was. And isn't. And never shall be. Amen.

Mike: Ooo, that's harsh – expecting me to down that.

Alan: You came; you asked; I poured. And now you drink.

Mike: (Clinking glasses with them) I hate to be the evil witch at the christening, but...

(They drink, except for Mike, who raises his glass without drinking)

Alan: Not bad stuff.

Mike: Looks like I have to offer my own blessing. (Pouring again for them) Here's to the once and future king.

Alan: Are you trying to embarrass me?

Mike: Nope. Saw the old blaze in your eye. We could win.

Alan: Sure. "Draft-Dodger for Governor!" (Drinks)

Mike: Means nothing now. Ask Jen. Guys like you, revolters on principle, that's hero material. We could win.

Alan: Back off, Benuto.

Mike: (Pouring again for Alan) Why'd you come back from Canada? And why here?

Alan: (Sharp explosive-- ) You don't get to ask that!

Kate: Alan...

(Alan reins himself in, collapses)

Alan: Why I'm back? – wish I knew. It was easy. It was a way to make peace...

Mike: With your father? Jacob was already gone. You came back to your birthplace, took up his newspaper, and blossomed - a pillar of the community, chairman of half a dozen public service projects, advisor on the board of famine relief, city planning...

Alan: (Finishing his thought) ...and it was here.

Mike: "Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in?" You're nobody's prodigal, Alan. You are who you are now.

Alan: (Pressured, strikes ) And who the hell are you? You have yet to wet your lips on this drink you're plying us with. Still all flash and no steel, huh Mikey?

Mike: Chill now. I know power is scary, but you've stepped up, and you're the man.

Alan: I should chill?! Aren't you Mister "Me-first" to burn the draft card, but "Oh dear me no" to the cross-the-border bus?

MIke: OK, let's touch down and get past, OK? Cause "then" has nothing to do with now.

Alan: Nothing to do...!

Mike: I was a naïve self-immolating kid! And it cost me, bigtime. We can't all be steel like you. But we're not talking insurrection any more, we're talking rescue. Or don't you detect the gigantic black hole where our leadership should be?

Jamy: (At the top of the stairs) Mom?

Kate: (Startled, looks up) What is it, Jamy?

Jamy: Where's the extra blankets? The heavy ones.

Kate: The hall cupboard. Are you cold? I'll show you. (Gets up) He may be feverish. He was out in that rain. (Goes up stairs)

Mike: I want you in the middle, Alan, because you can draw the sides together. There's a vision problem here, a lack of center.

Alan: Look Mike, I'm flattered by your confidence, but all I want...

Mike: ...is to stay buried in the anonymity of a masthead. But you can't bury the grade of stuff you've got to offer.

Alan: I'm not offering, Mike.

Mike: Bullshit! It's me, Buddy. I've been "reading" you for three months. You're not howling in the wilderness. (Glancing upstairs) Look at her. See the flowers in her hair?

Kate: (Coming down) Silver threads among the flowers? I don't go backwards.

Mike: No, forward! (Sings) "They're rioting in Africa, dum dada dada dumdum. There's strife in Iran." Nothing's changed! "Hell no, we won't go. Bring the war home!" Remember Kate – full throat engaged, hoarse in the sunset?

Kate: While you curled up with some chippie under the TR III's rain tarp?

Alan: I don't remember her getting hoarse.

Mike: I picked up this tab; I get to make the speech, Ok? (Beat) Fourscore and seven years ago...oh, they were tough times, yeah, when bright young journalists and sparkling young physiologists tossed away their futures for the nobler fight, stamped in the blood and muck of combat boots. And we took a stand. And we shook the land.

Alan: Until you buzzed off.

(Bang of kitchen door shutting. They're startled)

Kate: It's a draft.

Mike: You buzzed first, my friend.

Alan: Talk and talk, and then Fssssss – enlist.

Kate: Stop this.

Mike: Stick with the present. How are things at the paper, Alan?

Alan: Kicking balls, is it?

Mike: The people are hearing you, and they're desperate to believe in someone. What you should do is fuck your timid advertisers, and...

Kate: Michael!

Mike: Kate the accomplice! You let him creep into a monument to die.

Alan: (Cool) And you say "the people" too smoothly for a licensed killer.

Mike: (Stopped dead, stung) I killed no one but me! You really want to go there? You've right – I don't drink this champagne, because going to Nam made me a junkie alcoholic. Happy now?

Kate: Oh my god Mike.

Mike: Stay out, Kate! (Attacks Alan) So you gotta have a replay; can't leave it alone? Which of us ran: Did she want you to go to Canada? Did you even ask her? You left her holding the bag!

Kate: Shut up!

Mike: You expected her to jump and join you, drop the fight, leave everything...

Alan: If running to Canada was so easy, why didn't you do it? Or if you had to prove you loved her more, or had more balls than me, why didn't you just go to jail!

Mike: (Rage breaks, he nearly weeps) Because we were kids! How could we know what to do, when any choice there was was sure to ruin us. Laws can't apply – when you believe so much in your country, and you know it's going wrong, you can't hide; you have to face it. And when the pain of that, and her, and you became insane, my way to stop it all was to enlist!

Jen: Hey, guys. (She's at the top of the stairs in a robe)

(Alan and Kate look up at Jen)

Jen: The hall window's standing open. Did you know – Jamy's not here?

Kate: What? (Running to the stairs)

Jen: There was a draft. I came to look. He's not here.

(Blackout)

________________________

(Lights up on Jen, dressed elegantly, going through lists, talking toward kitchen. Bottle sounds, off. Mike is changing offstage as he talks; Jen's dress was under her robe)

Jen: Eckdorf?

Mike: (Off) Yes.

Jen: Bernstein.

Mike: (Off) Yes.

Jen: Johnson.

Mike: (Off) Yes.

Jen: Baker.

Mike: (Off) Maybe.

Jen: O'Reilly?

Mike: (Off) Yes.

Jen: Herman.

Mike: (Off) Yes.

Jen: Donato.

Mike: (Off) No.

Jen: No? How can there be a no?

Mike: (Off) Well, I can't persuade everyone, can I?

Jen: Can't you?

Mike: (Leans in doorway with champagne bottle, in tuxedo) No.

Jen: Oooh you sly...

Mike: I did my part. Did you get enough of the bio-profile and pics printed?

Jen: Yes yes yes. But I don't see why you had to use that family softball shot.

Mike: Grow up, kiddo. Learn to lead with your strong suit.

Jen: It's so frigging obvious.

Mike: It's the clincher!

Jamy: (Head in kitchen door) Is Dad here? Hi Mike.

Mike: Hullo!

Jen: Listen you – 5:45 is not 4:30. Get in here and get dressed.

Jamy: Just tell me, is Dad here?

Jen: Not yet, but...

Jamy: Somebody wants to see him.

Jen: There won't be time for that, Jamy.

Jamy: (Leaving) I'll be right back.

Jen: Jamy!

Mike: Aah yes, Mr Wonderful. How's he doing?

Jen: I don't think I'll have kids, you know? (Throws some flyers down, begins folding them)

Mike: (Picking up a flyer) Whatever happened to "love thy brother?"

Jen: I mean, this one is like some-where-else! He only listens when he's tied down, nd then, only long enough to get loose.

Mike: Maybe it's girls.

Jen: You kidding? For girls he'd wash.

Mike: Didn't I read someplace "thirteen is the nastiest month?"

Jen: Year, dumbo.

Mike: Year.

Jen: There was nothing nasty about me – I captained the basketball team, made honor roll, and worked my butt off at the paper. Did every job on the place.

Mike: Daddy's ink-stained darling, huh? This is good of your mother. (Referring to picture on flyer)

Jamy: (Re-entering kitchen, from off) Getting some bananas, alright?

Jen: Your clothes are laid out, Jamy. God, look at you; you're going to have to shower. Where do you think you're going...Jamy! Who's out there?

Jamy: (From off, exiting) Gaia.

Jen: (Pause, lost) I don't think the folks know what to do. They're like tracing a spider-thread hoping it doesn't wisp off into nothing.

Mike: With Jamy?

Jen: He's not always hostile, he's just...a ghost. Did you see? He looks right through you.

Mike: I see how it could dislodge your parenting instinct. At least they can rejoice that you're a winner.

Jen: Forget it. They think they failed with me because I'm looking to get rich.

Mike: Ahh, but that's a good ole American virtue.

Jen: They call it "soulless."

Mike: You see...

Jen: They did teach me to work for it, so I'm not a complete loss.

Mike: ...those two are unregenerate anti-establishmentarians.

Jen: And you're well disguised – with your Ferrari swagger, your multi-digit wardrobe, your...

Mike: (Brushing tuxedo that's hanging in doorway) Don't let appearances fool you, darlin'

Jen: Your suave is not for real?

Mike: Them that flash, need cash.

Jen: What?

Mike: Real wealth seldom looks it. But who knows that? I dress to cover the tracks I had to cross getting here.

Jen: You were poor? But Nam was a rich kids' revolution.

Mike: Who told you that?

Jen: (Moving to him suggestively) Listen, I've been fantasizing about your unregenerate generation all my reactionary life.

Mike: Don't tempt me, baby. Fiction is far more fun than truth.

Jen: You mean – settle for a story at bedtime, little girl?

Mike: (Warning) Ah ah ah. (Goes back to folding brochures) We must not nudge this extraordinarily productive relationship toward the scandalous. The "papers" would be on us in a milli-second.

Jen: Ohh, but it's all right for you and Mom to...

Mike: Speaking of "papers," what's Mimi going to do?

Jen: Sell it.

Mike: (Stops what he's doing) No!

Jen: She put it on the market yesterday. Dad didn't tell you?

Mike: He said advertising had picked up.

Jen: Not the point. His defiance is the point.

Mike: What do you mean? I've diplomatized his ass off. I feel like I'm in a marathon arm wrestle. Did you see the piece he wanted to run on the Project's development kick-backs?

Jen: Yeah.

Mike: He'd have smeared half the people on that list of yours. We'd have had a big zero count tonight.

Jen: The piece wasn't that bad. And if it's true...

Mike: Timing, my dear, timing. Mimi would arrest on the spot.

Jen: Oh, he'll find another angle. He refused to down-scale production, and that flipped her. In half a second she was on the phone to her lawyer – "It's up for sale. Start taking bids."

Mike: Right out from under him. God. Did I tell you I went after her for a contribution?

Jen: No shit. Bet she sees you as the peon her son dragged in.

Mike: Jacob liked me. She remembers that.

Jen: Grand-dad did?

Mike: He saw the glint of a "comer." Kind of ambition he wanted in Alan.

Jen: So you knocked on Mimi's door – big grin, slotted jar in hand?

Mike: Gold-plate pen, darling. Just a pen.

Jen: And?

Mike: Oh, she tea-caked and fussed me over, but did not dip for her son's campaign. Nope. Not a bit impressed.

Jen: Probably afraid he'll burn the flag on the steps of the state-house.

Mike: No, she just seemed disconnected. Waiting – for something else.

Jen: There is no way you'll get him into this tuxedo.

Mike: Don't worry – as long as you got the right size.

Jen: I can't picture it.

Mike: Never seen him on? He moves into action like a tiger.

Jen: Maybe...when something breaks in the newsroom.

Mike: Yes, "when" is the key. The moment he's convinced...his stroke has absolute power. It bores through to your backbone. You're riveted – to him and his cause. (Beat) So once they've felt it, they can't let him rest, and he can't refuse. He's a leader.

Jen: Well. (Little laugh) Wow.

Mike: What's your mother wearing?

Jen: (Beat) You'll have to ask her.

Mike: Ok. Will do. (Heads for stairs)

Jen: Clever move. Except she's not home.

Mike: Not home?

Jen: Nope.

Mike: We have to be scarce in half an hour!

Jen: Tell that to her synapses.

Mike: I don't believe it.

Jen: Wasn't she always like that?

Mike: (Worried) Hmmmm?

Jen: So...absorbed?

Mike: No. She was the spark, the lightning...

Jen: What was it like, the three of you on the barricades?

Mike: (Dreaming) Hayride at first frost.

Jen: What?

Mike: (In the present) Sorry, I keep forgetting.

Jen: What.

Mike: You're too young for the image.

Jen: Well I've never seen her "spark."

Mike: Miss Muffet, I believe you're fishing.

Alan: (Enters from front door, to Mike) My god, you look like Halloween.

Mike: You're not insulting this tender young-uh woman?

Alan: So they still make 'em like that? (Kisses Jen) Beautiful, Jenilla.

Mike: OK, you've gone over your speech?

Alan: Mike...

Mike: The only thing to watch for – should they get onto the Project – is to stay between. Let both City Slope and Parkside imagine they can claim you. And what's true – absolutely – is "we haven't finished studying the issue."

Alan: That creaks, Michael.

Mike: Nothing can be crystal, anyway, until all the owners are declared. Am I right?

Alan: (Flops into chair) Right.

Mike: (Picks up bottle) Tonight is not about urban angst. Tonight is about getting you on the slate.

Alan: (Indicating champagne) You cracking that, or just waving it around?

Mike: Later, champ.

Alan: I could use a whiff of something.

Mike: Tough day?

Alan: Had better.

Jen: How about essence of hot shower?

Mike: Heard your desk's up for sale. I'm glad you'll have use for the Governor's.

Alan: Sooner than you can produce it. Mimi moved against my salary this afternoon.

Jen: What! Does she want us on the street?

Mike: She can't move alone.

Alan: No, and the board is only two-thirds with her so far. But she's determined. (Beat) So. How long till my next match.

Jen: (Checks her watch) Oh, juniper. We've got to move, Dad. (Picks up notes)

Mike: Ever suspect you were growing a resident campaign manager?

Alan: A nominating caucus is not a campaign.

Mike: Ha – a wave on a smile is a campaign.

Alan: And I haven't okayed your dropping out, young woman.

Jen: Where else could I get such an education? Now – here's the brief on the Project: Ugly story – "renewal" began in the 50's; it was the old town, first settled, completely run down, business district shifted, then urban malls...

Mike: The very first settlement?

Jen: Before that, an Indian center, the crossing of rivers.

Mike: Long before the great Condo war.

Alan: I think Dad was involved in the first restructuring of the area.

Mike: Jacob "restructured?"

Alan: Politic for "head em out, move em on."

Jen: Demolition. Wipe away the poor.

Alan: They built them low-income high-rises out at City Limits subdivision.

Jen: "Improved" their living standards.

Alan: Right – disaster. Even Dad relented.

Mike: Tough old Jacob?

Alan: He let a piece get printed under the lead: "Poor Used To Be A Way To Live" depicting Front Street in the 30's.

Jen: (Jotting notes while he talks) No shit. Lively?

Alan: Yup. Always a catching-on place where you could collect used bottles, off-load dry goods, wash down the back way at the butcher's, grub a plateful at the diner if they liked your face. And it was life.

Jen: (Writing) A buzzing mesh...

Alan: When did poor-life get illegal?

Mike: When your average family wasn't anymore. Poor.

Jen: (Reading) "That buzzing mesh could always hold more life." Hey – if I ever go back to school, I'll teach 'em how it's done.

Mike: She's showing fire, wouldn't you say?

Jen: You cut the cute lip, and let him dress. (Hands Alan the tux)

Alan: Kate upstairs?

Jen: No, she's...not here yet.

Alan: No? Oh. (Seeing the tux in his hand) What's this supposed to be?

Jen: It's supposed to be 40 Long, 32-34, studs in left inside pocket.

Alan: Bad joke, sweetie. Did you put her up to this?

Jen: Come on. Just pretend it's a wedding.

Alan: Not a chance, people. This is a political meeting, not a beauty contest.

Mike: It's just a matter of form. Celebration. Everyone sports a uniform.

Alan: I've never been everyone. And I didn't bring her up thinking I was. (Hands back tux, heads up stairs) This is me, take it or leave it.

Mike: Alan.

Alan: And the same goes for the marriage registration. You knew the goods – you sell them (Exits above)

Jen: So much for slipping into a little something less comfortable.

Mike: (Sighs) He'll make it work. He always could. Panache.

Jen: Sure. (Beat) What's with the marriage registration?

Mike: I just want him to call his friend at the records office in Ottawa.

Jen: Ottawa – their registration? It's in Canada?

Mike: I know it's a small thing, but after tonight the opposition'll beat anything they can out of the bushes.

Jen: Sure. (Beat) So what's the date on it?

Jamy: (Sticking his head in from kitchen) Dad here?

Jen: Yes, he's up dressing, but you can't...

Jamy: Sure. I know.

Jen: Look, Jamy, will you just...

Jamy: (Dashing across room and upstairs shouting) Dad! There's someone wants to see you.

Jen: Jamy!

Jamy: (Glancing back at Jen) Dad? You got time to speak to a...constituent, don't you? Dad? (Exits above)

Jen: I'm gonna kill that kid! You watch. He will not make it to fourteen.

Kate: (Entering from kitchen) Does anybody know who that is out there?

Mike: No doubt a spirit of the night, milady, nodding you on your way.

Kate: Jamy's home, isn't he?

Jen: Mom, you've got to hurry. There's only twenty minutes to dress.

Kate: For what, Jennel?

Jen: Mom.

Kate: All this has nothing to do with me. Your father understands. The less fuss you make, the easier it will be on everyone. What time did Jamy come home?

Mike: What's going on, Kate?

Kate: Don't get near me dripping cologne, Michael.

Mike: You and Alan are a team.

Kate: Performing apes? You figured two for the price of one? Sorry.

Mike: Kate.

Jen: Forget it, Mike. She doesn't want him to do it. She's jealous!

(Jen slams out of the room. Alan is walking above, Jamy following)

Jamy: Just for two minutes, Dad. It's a friend of mine, wants to talk to you. Before tonight.

Kate: It's no good, Mike. Just go before anything gets broken.

Mike: Like this cocoon you've spun? I believe in this campaign, Kate.

Kate: And I should hoist the flag because you turned up? I believe in the work I'm doing.

Mike: But it's snuffed your light, Kate. And that's what made me dare.

(Kate stares at him, turns and moves swiftly up the stairs)

Kate: You can dare all you want. You've got nothing to lose.

Mike: (Hitting back) Right. No wife, no kids, no life?

Kate: (Stops midway) You didn't have to creep from underground, so Jen could have a life! She was born on a crusade, Mike. And what did it get us? Exile.

Mike: She appears to have survived. (Beat) Alan's in the world again, Kate. He's reaching to people, wanting to help. Let him go.

Kate: What makes you think I'm holding him?

Mike: You laid down the rules for coming back: Cross the border, dig a camp, but we will never show our face in daylight again. Not in this misguided country.

Kate: Wrong. I never came back at all.

Mike: (Catching her hand) Please.

Kate: (Catches her breath; she's shaken, but– ) Play your politics, but leave me out. I'm running in the real world.

Mike: Of screens and machines?

Kate: And wayward sons. There's plenty to do.

Mike: Except live.

Kate: Sons are very much alive.

Mike: (Hit) That's below the belt, Kate.

Kate: (Hurting, too) Grow up, Mike. Life is a series of limits, one after another.

Mike: And your electrodes prove humans are smaller and smaller, until we're zip, zap, contained.

Kate: All I'm proving is we aren't gods.

Mike: So the mind, with its spark of divinity, flies clean off your screen?

Kate: What you see is what you get.

Mike: All facts, no feeling at all?

Kate: (Exploding) What am I supposed to feel! You want me spilled all over the floor?

Mike: That's it, that's it, come at me.

Kate: (Angry, near tears) You'd like to chop me up between the two of you?!

Mike: (Takes hold of her) What are you saying, Kate?

Kate: Don't worry, Michael – the brain will never explain the mind.

Mike: (Holding her face, to look at her) But it will be explained?

Kate: (Flashing) It has to be!

(Shaken by his closeness, Kate sinks, short of breath)

Mike: What?

Kate: (Breathing shallow, fast) Just...let go of me.

Mike: (Lets go slowly) You should have walked out on us both.

Jen: (Returning) Where's Jamy?

Alan: (Above) Kate, have you seen my blue tie? (To Jamy) Now why's this so urgent, Jame?

Kate: (Limp) Try the rack behind the door.

Jamy: (Above) I'll find the tie. And here's your other shoe, Dad. Now you've got time to...

Jen: Jamy, would you come here?

Jamy: (Above) I'm talking to Dad.

Jen: James Alan!

Jamy: What.

Jen: Just who is that out there?

Jamy: My friend Gaia.

Jen: Just what do you think you're doing?

Jamy: Setting up a meeting with Dad.

Jen: You're out of your fucking mind! Get down here.

Mike: I'll take care of him, Jennel. Get your mother a drink?

Jen: Fine. You know what he's done? He's got a fucking bag lady out there!

Mike: A what?

Jamy: (Above) Just let Gaia talk, Dad, Ok? You'll get it clear, you'll see.

Jen: You heard me. Look for yourself.

Mike: (To Kate) What is she talking about?

Kate: I think I'd rather...sit down.

(Jamy races downstairs out of breath, darting his charged eyes at each of them, in warning)

Jamy: Just everybody stay cool. (Exits in a rush)

Kate: Jamy...

Mike: What the hell is this, Kate?

(Kate, dizzy, doesn't respond)

Jamy: (Off) Thanks for waiting. Come in.

(Jamy reenters, leading what looks like a filthy pile of rags. She is not blind, but has some deficiency or disfigurement about her eyes that makes her depend on other senses)

Jen: (Under her breath) I don't believe this.

(Jamy stands easily with Gaia, facing stairway, waiting for Alan. Beat)

Gaia: Mmmmm, choppy water.

Jamy: (Gently, to Gaia) What can you tell?

Gaia: Discord here. Why?

Jamy: (Commanding them) Answer Gaia.

Mike: It's uh...hectic evening. Jamy, have you any idea...

Jamy: Quiet.

Mike: (Moving to kitchen) Phone call.

Kate: Mike?

Mike: Don't sweat it, Kate. Just going to let them know we're...delayed. (Exits)

Gaia: The mother.

(Jamy leads Gaia to Kate. Gaia reaches hand, touches Kate's forehead)

Gaia: Mmmm no fear. Mmm sunken slowly – sealed. (Lifts her hand)

(Alan is coming downstairs. Without turning, Gaia speaks)

Gaia: Third ballot, 51 percent. The father. Put an ear to the ground.

Jamy: He's here now, Gaia. This is my father. Alan Marshall.

Gaia: Mmmhmm. Brother's a two-leg'd, stands on them. But his right knee, a catch.

Jamy: Gaia.

Gaia: Yes. Sorry.

Alan: (Hesitates, puts out his hand) I'm glad to meet you.

Gaia: (Holds his hand, chuckles) The dirt won't rub.

Alan: Excuse me?

Gaia: (Letting go of him, easy– ) The boy sees.

Alan: Yes. He's very...perceptive.

Gaia: The boy sees through, down years.

Alan: (Beat) I understand you want to speak to me about the Project.

Gaia: Project?

Alan: Jamy tells me you...had lived in that area.

Jamy: At Water and Front. Right in the center. Cross the third light and...

Alan: (Sharply) Jamy.

Gaia: No. That's dead.

Jamy: But it came alive.

Alan: I must tell you it isn't legal for you to be staying inside the Project. There is demolition going forward, and...

Jamy: Dad, just listen.

Gaia: (Beginning to sway) Demolition died. Roots are mine. Land alive in child-sight. Deep tiles-white, pearl stone under. The child sees.

Jamy: I'm helping find it, Dad.

Alan: Jamy, this isn't something we can...

Gaia: Your father Jacob brought you. He learned the earth lust. He knew.

Alan: Jacob...?

Jamy: Just listen!

Gaia: Eda knew. She guards, she works, she sings, old Eda.

Kate: Jamy, what is this?

Jamy: Eda is Gaia's grandfather's grandmother. Eda helps.

Kate: My god, Jamy.

Jamy: He'll listen, Gaia. Tell it when the Project started.

Gaia: (Begins quiet, visceral, builds) I packed, but stayed. Buildings crash. Buildings burn. Fires at night. Dawn stinks. I stayed. They crush, cement, crush. Then heave, heave it, heave. Then under – springing black, cool, gurgitating earth, fecund-tumbling-rising smell. Swim in it. The secret leaps, nostrils to groin I ahhh...(From gut, a triumphant roar. Her relived memory has built into a seizure) Mine. It was mine!

Jamy: Wait! Don't let go, Gaia. I'll get the stones. I'll find them. He'll understand. Wait. Hold her!

(Jamy runs up stairs. Alan takes hold of Gaia. Gaia's head snaps to one side, voice changed)

Gaia: (Street voice) Watch who you're pushing, you filthy son of a bitch. Step around, it's leprosy! Watch it. My finger up your nose, bastard.

Mike: Alan, do you want...

Alan: Never mind, I'll handle it.

Gaia: (Voice calm again, no pause) The dirt won't rub. Careful mmmmm.

Alan: Gaia, I'm speaking straight to you: you stay away from my son.

Gaia: My son? Stay away. Boy tonight falling. Falling. Keep him home.

Alan: Can you understand me? I want you to be taken care of tonight. And tomorrow I'll come for you, I'll help you. This money will pay for a room for you. Go to the...

Gaia: (Street voice, harsh) Think you can buy me? Suck your own, bastard. Step! Step around, watch your back. (Shoving Alan, makes for the door)

Jamy: (Above) Gaia, I've got the stones. Here!

(Jamy runs downstairs with a handful of white stones, is caught by Alan. Gaia has gone)

Alan: Just what in hell have you been up to?

Jamy: What did you do? I promised you'd listen!

Alan: Tell me fast, because I don't have a great deal of time – is this what you've been up to?!

Jamy: You insulted her! You're the same as the rest of them!

Alan: That's the end of it. (Lets go of Jamy and goes up the stairs)

Jamy: (Shouting after him) I said you could do anything. But you're just one of the bastards! Hypocrite!

Kate: (Moving to him) Jamy.

Jamy: Let me go. Don't touch me. (Running out the door; some stones fall, calls– ) Gaia!

Kate: (Terrified) Jamy, come back here. Jamy!

Mike: I'll go after him. You just get on the way.

Jen: He's down the hill by now. You'll never catch him.

Mike: I'll take my car.

Jen: Why didn't somebody do something?

Mike: Just get them on the way, Jen. Suck in your temper and do it.

Jen: All right!

(Mike is gone. Jen takes deep breath turns to face Kate, who is still)

Jen: Your serve. (Calls) Dad, you ready?

Kate: (Dazed) So strange.

Jen: Satisfied?

Kate: I feel so... (She picks up a stone Jamy dropped)

Jen: I suppose you didn't exactly plan this.

Kate: Something bad's happening. I can feel it.

Jen: (Gathering flyers) I don't know how everybody could just stand there while that crazy...

Kate: Jen?

Jen: What.

Kate: (Fingering the stone) Are you all right?

Jen: Of course. What's the matter with you?

Kate: I don't know.

Jen: Listen, Mom, I'd really like it, and I know Dad would if... Could you please come tonight.

Alan: (Coming down the stairs) It's all right, Kate. Either way.

Kate: Alan. (Moves to him, holds him)

Alan: Come or not. It's only for form's sake. This little adventure will be over in a couple hours. And tomorrow we'll laugh about it.

Kate: Jamy's not crazy.

Alan: Course not. Extreme, maybe. Runs in the family. (Pulling on coat) Oh – remember the piece on development kickbacks? I put it in tomorrow's paper. So no matter what happens tonight, Mimi will get it with her coffee in the morning. (Noticing Kate's bewilderment) What's wrong?

Kate: I don't know.

Jen: Mom, we really have to go.

Kate: Jamy ran, Mike went after him; when they get back...we'll come.

Jen: (Roughly grabbing box of flyers) Jamy Jamy Jamy. I've had enough!

(Jen heads for front door. Outside, a car screeches up, car door slams)

Kate: No.

Mike: (Call from off) Kate! Come here!

Kate: No!

(Jen lets Mike in. He stands holding Jamy in his arms – bloody, unconscious)

Mike: He fell. A long way.

(Blackout)

END ACT ONE

ACT TWO

Hospital room. Jamy on raked bed, unconscious and wearing an electronic "cap." Kate sitting at control board with headphones and microphone. On scrim, brainwaves (EEG) which will blend and intersperse with images of objects being "fed" via an overhead projector. We hear Kate over the microphone-speaker, and see on the scrim the image of her hands playing a finger game.

Kate: Jamy, Jamy, Jamy, Jamy – whoops-Jamy, whoops-Jamy, Jamy, Jamy, Jamy.

(Kate repeats this, then waits, checks all indicators to which Jamy is wired. She's getting nothing. The brainwaves hold a constant long rolling pattern. She sighs, begins singing– )

Kate: A little ducky duddle

went wading in a puddle

went wading in a puddle quite small

Said he, it doesn't matter

how much I splash and splatter

I'm only a ducky after all

(An image is forming on the scrim. It is rain raining on a street)

Kate: (Sings, hums) "A little hmhmhm-mm." That's it, Jamy, rain! That's right. "Went wading in a puddle" Come on, put the ducky there. "Hmhmmm...quite small." Give Jamy, give me the ducky!

(The rain continues on scrim. Now there's a sidewalk, and a large fence with a piece torn away. Alan enters with a large box, stops at entrance)

Alan: What's that, the Project?

Kate: (To Alan) Wait, just wait.

(She speaks insistently toward Jamy, moves from controls to directly in front of his bed)

Kate: Jamy Alan Marshall, thirteen years old, goes to Lincoln Junior...

Alan: Kate...

(Rain on scrim is fading. Brainwaves are settling into longer pattern)

Kate: Don't go, Jamy. Stay in there.

(Rain is gone. Kate rips headphones off, leans on her arms, head hanging)

Alan: That's enough. Let's move him downstairs.

Kate: What did you bring? You found his toy box?

Alan: Call Dr Nicklaus, Kate. Jamy belongs in intensive care.

(Kate looks at Alan, goes to box, rummages, taking out truck, books, snorkel)

Kate: (Pulling out baseball glove) His mitt. That's good.

Alan: Kate.

(Kate is adjusting controls, microphone, manipulates the mitt in the overhead projector. It appears on the scrim over brainwaves, shadowy, then clear)

Kate: You know what they can do for him? (Low chant) Here y'come, Jamy boy. Steady eye, slow swing. Cinch up. Easy – test it. That's it, give 'em a target.

Alan: How long do you think they'll let you care for your own child?

Kate: Eye on the ball. Y'got him. Level now, straight from the shoulder – swwwing and co-o-onnect! (She looks back and forth from her control dials to Jamy) Is he...?

Alan: There's nothing. He's not picking up.

Kate: It's feeding onto his retina.

Alan: Nothing.

Kate: Sometimes they'll reach for the object. It'll enter their dream...

Alan: (Near weeping) No response, Kate.

Kate: ...and bring them closer to waking. (Beat. Looks at Alan) You know what they'll do in intensive? Nothing!

Alan: They'll monitor. They'll watch, they'll wait.

Kate: How much time do you think we have? A few hours unconscious are usual, not alarming. After a whole day, it's dangerous. At least I'm doing...

Alan: You're experimenting!

Kate: I can't let him go, Alan. I don't know where he is, but I have to try. I think I can reach him.

Alan: You think?

Kate: Something's pulling me. I don't...

Alan: An instinct?

Kate: (Looks at Alan without speaking, then– ) Yes.

Alan: You don't believe in that, Kate. "Science is reason."

Kate: I know what I believe, but something else is going on here.

Alan: Because you feel it is? You're experimenting with our son's life!

Kate: I can't make it worse! (Rummaging through the box)

Alan: You don't know that! You could be interfering with...

Kate: What do you know about it! (Pulling a cowboy and horse out of the box)

(When they see the worn cowboy, their grief hits them and they collapse, giving in to it)

Alan: (Sitting) Not a goddamned thing. I'm just one of the bastards.

Kate: Poor old cowpoke. (Pause) Who was that old woman, Alan?

Alan: I don't know.

(Kate sighs, and sits up, positioning cowboy and horse in the projector. Alan watches)

Alan How did you get the rain?

Kate: With a song. Little Ducky Duddle. I just felt a song; song is breath.

(Kate suddenly turns to Alan. Cowboy, on scrim and off, falls flat)

Kate: Why did I say that? Where did I get it?

Alan: What?

Kate: "Song is breath."

Alan: I don't know.

Kate: It's as though someone else is in my brain, watching, sometimes speaking.

Alan: Kate, you're exhausted. You've got to stop...

(Alan's staring at scrim. The waves are lengthening. Kate sings in calm voice, through mike, puppeting horse with its droopy cowboy)

Kate: (Sings) "I'm a poor old paint..."

Alan: Look.

(The waves are fading, and snowflakes begin to fill the scrim)

Kate: "I'm leaving Cheyenne..."

Alan: Snow! What does it mean?

Kate: Shhh...

Alan: Jamy!

Kate: Don't. He's dreaming.

Alan: It's going away.

Kate: Cowboys in snow? Is there a story?

Alan: There... Look!

(Fading in, filling scrim, are many animals. Kate and Alan stand, awed)

Kate: (Softly) My god.

Alan: (Staring, murmurs– ) Brothers four-leg'd.

(Scrim fades slowly, brainwaves shift to a larger pattern)

Kate: He's going, drifting.

Alan: She called me "a two-leg'd."

Kate: (Insistent, on mike) Jamy, come back here. Do you hear me?

Alan: Kate, don't...

Kate: You know who's calling you. Come here this minute! I need you. (Chokes) Jamy.

Alan: (Hand on her) Kate.

Kate: Couldn't hear me anyway. (Pulls off headphones) He slipped back.

(She moves to look at Jamy, touches him. Alan sinks, collapsing)

Kate: His vital signs are ok. Could be an hour before he's close again.

Alan: Just tell me what's going on?

Kate: The program converts electric signals from his brain into the images a patient is seeing during REM. If I introduce new images while he's dreaming, it may prepare him to wake. We know someone comatose can hear the talk in his room, so the dreamer...

Alan: I mean what about the four-leg'd...?

Kate: You picked up "four-leg'd" from Jamy. He's always saying... (Stops) You're right, I've got to rest.

Alan: Let them take him downstairs, Kate. Before they force you.

Kate: I can't. I've got a connection they can't explain, so if I find something, anything he'll come back for... (Flops into monitoring chair, which reclines) Rest, Alan. Breathe. We have to "feel" into it, bend. Science does work that way when you're breaking through. If you hold so tight, you won't be flexible enough to...follow him.

Alan: But this is sheer hell.

Kate: I know. And I know I'm not myself. Jamy brought something into the room with that woman, and...

Alan: When we carried him in he said – what? "Ah may ja– ?"

Kate: Amay-jabul. Nobody's heard of it. They're punching it phonetically through known languages.

Alan: I did this. It happened in that split second on the stairs. If I hadn't gotten angry...

Kate: (Sits up abruptly) Stop it now! Blame is for shit. It means nothing. I was glad you got angry. Terrified, but still glad.

Alan: Oh god, why.

Kate: Your shouting...had life in it.

Alan: Christ. Jamy was blocking my way, saying no. And what was I doing? Dressing up to go play power. You know what I was thinking? How proud Dad was the day I got into student politics. Said it was sure to be "useful." Christ. At least that's finished.

Kate: (Lying back) That was the weekend you brought me home to meet Mimi and Jacob. I wore my pale green dress with rosebuds.

Alan: A dress?

Kate: You told me they'd like it. And Mimi scooped me up. Didn't even have to take a good look. Something told her I was for you, and that was that. Prime heiress material. It took her a whole six hours to realize I was the devil herself leading you straight to hell. In that six hours she'd shown me every window latch and corner closet on the place. She even took me to the attic. There was a painted chest filled with wooden boxes, all labeled – diplomas and deeds. Every accomplishment, tangible and otherwise, that went with the name Marshall.

Alan: So you bought in on the spot.

Kate: Yup, I bought. Interesting word. And made you throw it all away.

Alan: Who made who?

Kate: (Silence) You know, he could be drifting out there, away from us, because it's easier.

Alan: What was it about? That old woman.

Kate: Just some...phantom he was chasing. Then he fell back into our world.

Alan: Or hers. You're crossing over, Doctor.

Kate: I know. This is taking me places I didn't want to go. I need elements defined, clear...

Alan: Controllable?

Kate: ...where all that matters is what works, why it works, how it works. But in the brain, there's an infinite imagination infinitely creative. I can only be aware of its infinity, never its actual scope. And with that scope, comes a nearly limitless adaptability in its primary mission – caring for the body.

Alan: Imagine...if we could develop an organ adaptable enough to care for society the way the brain cares for the body.

Kate: (Looks at him, choked) Oh, Alan.

Alan: (Pause) He did speak.

Kate: It wasn't speech. Two words we don't even know, and animals, animals! Can you find anything real?

Alan: Jen. She's real. And practical. She's poring through files on the Project.

Kate: But what does Jamy want there? Unless, because you were running that series on homelessness...?

Alan: Jamy's not exactly the paper's most avid reader.

Kate: But he is exactly the partner for a crazy?

Alan: Kate.

Kate: I'm sorry. It's just... What about Mimi? Did you call her?

Alan: No, I'm letting Jen deal...don't want her worried.

Kate: This woman Gaia knew your father's name. How? Why?

Alan: She could have learned it from Jamy. (Pause) I had Jen cross reference "Gaia". The only entry turned up a dead end.

Kate: There was something?

Alan: One of the City Limits relocation horrors. People had clean walls and new kitchens out there, at least at first. But there was no corner newsstand, no laundry lines, no stoop-ball.

Kate: No life.

Alan: Young started preying on the old, the hallways, each other. One clipping was about a young woman with a handful of kids and the isolation. Her mother refused to leave Front Street, husband gone for months working the railroad. She'd thrown herself from the twelfth floor at 4PM. Nobody even saw it happen.

Kate: Of course.

Alan: Her name was Gaia.

Kate: Oh, Alan.

Alan: So it doesn't lead anywhere.

Kate: No.

Alan: But he had it grease-penciled.

Kate: The item?

Alan: Dad did, yeah. And scratched "Fanel" in the margin: the mother's name.

(Jen appears, bedraggled)

Kate: Oh, Jen, you're still in your beautiful dress.

Jen: I haven't thought.

Kate: Come here.

(Jen walks over. Kate hugs her)

Jen: Is there anything?

Kate: No verbal response. Some imaging. I'm sorry Jen, about last night.

Jen: Didn't turn out so bad. Nobody told you? He was nominated. You were nominated, Dad. Congratulations.

Alan: What? (Gets up)

Jen: Four other candidates – you got it on the third ballot. Isn't that something?

Alan: (Walking about) I don't believe it. It's ridiculous!

Jen: So maybe Mike was right about running. But he didn't remember what the crazy said. Did she turn up?

Alan: Forget the nomination, Jen. I'm finished with it.

Jen: What, because of Jamy?

Alan: You have a better reason?

Jen: He wants you to quit? You think that's what Jamy wants?

Kate: Wait, wait – what did she say? The woman. Gaia.

Jen: Doesn't anybody else remember she said "third ballot?" And then Dad got it, on the third ballot.

Alan: She was raving.

Jen: I still heard it. You ought to go after her. She said Jamy would fall!

Alan: What!

Jen: When you told her to leave him alone, she said he would fall. I'll bet she pushed him. Go after her.

Alan: Cops have been looking all night. (Looks at his watch, gets up) I'll check with them.

Kate: Did you hear her say that?

Alan: No, I didn't.
Jen: I can't help it I'm the only one who listens.

Kate: I remember she touched me. Then I was dizzy.

Jen: She said it, and she did it. The whole thing is frigging weird.

Alan: (To Kate) Do you want anything?

Kate. No. Why don't you have breakfast?

(Alan exits. Jen stands looking at Jamy)

Jen: He sure looks small. (Pause) Remember that surprise party the two of us planned? We cut out decoration streamers. You came in the door, and he jumped out with the springy hat? I held everybody back so he could surprise you first, remember? (Beat) It was your tenth wedding anniversary.

Kate: (Head back, all but asleep) Uhuh.

Jen: Yeah, sure, we all remember. (Beat) Why's the cowboy here?

Kate: That cowboy got a name, Jen?

Jen: Naw, we'd just play cowboys and Indians. But that's a long time ago.

Kate: What about animals? I got a whole crowd of animals, filled the screen. ...four-leg'd brothers?

Jen: What?

Kate: (Embarrassed) Your Dad said Gaia called him a two-leg'd.

Jen: No, but look here. (From pocket, pulls out a white stone)

Kate: (Taking it to look) The stone Jamy wanted to show us? Did you find out...

Jen: Yup, got it analyzed. It's just a stone.

Kate: Maybe the question isn't "what is it" but "what does it mean."

Jen: Well, it's too old to be from the excavation, and it's limestone.

Kate: Limestone?

Jen: Yup. From the bottom of the sea.

Kate: (Transfixed, looking at stone) What sea? (Overcome by exhaustion, lies back)

Jen: (Watching her) Gramma called.

Kate: Did she know about Jamy?

Jen: No. I suppose anybody that heard figured they shouldn't tell her.

Kate: Fine. It may give us a day.

Jen: But she'd seen the paper.

Kate: Oh god, the development kickback piece.

Jen: Yeah. She wanted me to get a certain box out of the attic. She said it was "time" for it.

Kate: What?

Jen: I'm worried – if I find it – whether this is the time, the way they've been fighting.

Kate: If she wants to hit back, I don't know what more she could do.

Jen: Probably won't find it anyway.

Kate: (Close to sleep) If she said it's there, it's there. Mimi never lost anything she wanted. (Pause) What did she say about it?

Jen: Nothing. Except it's labeled "Wakanda."

Kate: Wakanda?

(The scrim is filling with streaked color – layers of land, or sunset)

Jen: Yes, do you know...?

Kate: (Falling asleep) No, just...thought I remembered something.

Jen: (Suddenly murmurs) "It was given to all - creatures two-leg'd and four."

Kate: What...?

(But Kate's asleep, and her dream of Gaia becomes visible on the scrim amid the colors, while Jen speaks to Jamy, gently, sharing with her little brother the answer "two-leg'd" reminds her of, which pleases her– )

Jen: Land. The earth. Creatures two-leg'd and four. Four-leg'd brothers are animals. They're brothers of man – even birds, fish, insects, plants, trees – and he has to share the land with them.

(While Jen speaks, Gaia, as an early American Indian, walks out of the sea; she extends her hand, and Jamy runs up to take it, and leads her back into the sea. As they're disappearing– )

Jen: Mom, do you think...could Gaia be an Indian?

Kate: (Waking as images disappear) No! Stop.

Jen: (Startled) Mom...? Were you asleep?

Kate: Yes, I...it was a dream, with Jamy and...

Jen: We should hook you up. What'd you see?

(Alan's in doorway with a coffee for Kate)

Kate: Nothing.

Alan: Nothing?

Kate: No. I just...lost a minute there.

Jen: Well, Jamy's the same, but watch Mom. She's crossing over. I'm off downtown.

Alan: No Jen. Go home to bed. Somebody's got to, or we won't have a coherent member standing. Mr Klinghorn can cover the late edition. I'll get down there soon.

Jen: Sure Dad. (She leaves)

Kate: (Taking the coffee) Will she go home to bed?

Alan: Maybe. (Beat) Remember worrying they'd turn out a useless generation?

Kate: It isn't over, is it.

Alan: What?

Kate: The candidacy.

Alan: Apparently not.

Kate: What will you do?

Alan: (Short laugh) Ask Jamy. He has "sight."

Kate: (Concluding) You want it.

Alan: Of course I'm flattered.

Kate: You want it, all of it. Even in spite... Even with Jamy lying here.

Alan: How can you say that?

Kate: Because I know! You're excited.

Alan: All right I am! (Beat) Even if it's no more than a fantasy. When I picture – even for a second – that I could get into a position to actually change things...

Kate: (Softening, sighs) Like the wage–gap?

Alan: ...if only a little, if only over terrible odds, to be able to do things that could make a difference in people's lives, make a difference in what we believe about ourselves, what's possible...

Kate: To start over. You'd be redeemed.

Alan: I think I'd finally feel...right. Fulfilled. As though I'd done what I was meant to do.

Kate: (Means it) Then don't let me hold you back.

(A faint shadow is forming on the scrim)

Alan: (Mistaking Kate's meaning) How could you? You're nowhere near me.

Kate: Alan, I didn't...

(But Alan is on his feet, watching the scrim change. Kate is instantly at the control board. The image is scattered, has movement)

Alan: (Stunned, watching) It's Jamy that held me. He wants something.

Mike: (In the door) It's so cold.

(Startled to hear him, Alan and Kate glance toward Mike, who's staring at the scrim, which is now white, snowing)

Mike: Is Jamy...?

Kate: No, he's not cold.

Mike: There's someone carrying someone – look!

(A silhouette of a boy carrying a small girl is forming in the snow)

Kate: (Excited) Amay-jabul.

Alan: What? Why...

Kate: (Then into the microphone) You are Jamy Alan. Jamy Alan. (The silhouette fades) He's slipping back. We can't push. (Limp) At least they were people this time.

(All three stand staring, drained. Mike upset, deeply moved)

Mike: (Softly) Amay-jabul?

Alan: That's what Jamy called himself.

Mike: He's speaking?

Alan: Not now.

Kate: (Still standing motionless) You think Jen's downtown?

Alan: Yes, if I know her.

Kate: Call. Ask her to do a computer search of your records for Amay-jabul. Assume it's a name.

Alan: Yes. Good. (Goes to phone)

Mike: (Putting hands on Kate's shoulders) Tell me.

Kate: (At his touch, sighs, relaxes) There's nothing – no apparent injury. His consciousness just shut itself off. It happens. If...these cycles resemble sleep, we may be able to wake him at the edge of an imaging period.

Mike: You mean, a dream?

Kate: (Collapsing, exhausted, into chair) Yes.

Mike: Yes. (Pause. Moved, quiet, a release) Last night I...I've never felt anything so strong. Something...grabbed me by the gut and pulled. I had no choice. I could hear him calling me, crying in my brain all the time I raced after him.

Kate: Then it isn't only mothers.

Mike: What?

Kate: (Lightly) I'm chasing him now – no matter where, even if I lose myself. Maybe you have to give birth again, re-create your child, whenever he's in danger. Maybe it's the price of life.

Mike: You told me the price was patience.

Kate: What?

Mike: That children forced you to learn patience, like it or not.

Kate: When did I say that?

Mike: When Jen was seven weeks old.

Kate: Oh.

Mike: You didn't tell me how they expose your under-belly.

Kate: (Putting him off, exhausted) Mike...

Mike: Because once you've given life, and have the care of it, you know...at any moment you could lose it.

(With a half-cry, Kate weeps. Mike holds her; strong feeling between them. Alan returns, watches. Mike sees Alan, does not break from Kate)

Mike: But Jamy's your way back to life.

Kate: I didn't stop living, Mike.

Mike: You did. You have.

Kate: I just went someplace I could count on.

Mike: A screen, where there's no right or wrong?

Kate: Because I don't...

Mike: ...because you couldn't take fighting for this country and losing.

Kate: I just don't care anymore. I raise my children, that's it.

Mike: Then why does Jamy care if people are freezing?

Kate: I don't know.

Mike: Because he's seen it? Because he knows one? Funny about children. How you can't control them. Jamy's a litmus test – he's soaked up all you deny, distilled it in his soul, and now he's forcing you to care – because it is his life.

(Kate stares at Mike. Alan moves in; puts his hand on Mike)

Alan: I went to the edge where Jamy fell, Mike, and I can't figure it – how could you get up again?

Mike: You know I'm at home in the dump.

Alan: I can imagine sliding down, but it's a sheer drop. How did you climb out? And with Jamy?

Mike: I don't remember doing it. I knew I had to get down to him, and I knew I had to bring him up. I remember lifting him in my arms. But that's all I remember. (Pause) He did speak?

Kate: Just once on the way in. He said he was Amay-jabul.

Mike: Sometimes they get amnesia, don't they?

Kate: They forget things, yes, but...

Mike: I knew a guy played a whole football game, got knocked down in the third, and next day they said he'd been unconscious the last quarter. Took a shower, went home, ate a steak – unconscious. Next day we were afraid they'd subtract the score he made.

Kate: It can happen. (Pause) Jen told us about the nomination.

Mike: Yeah. Guess we'll do pretty well. Long as we make Alan stay home. (Beat) He's all right, though, Jamy? You did lots of tests?

Kate: Yes.

Mike: He's just...not waking up? (Beat) Do you know what he'd been doing? I mean, with that old woman?

Alan: No. They haven't found her.

Mike: What about friends? Did...does he have many?

Kate: What's wrong, Mike?

Mike: Well, there's something I... Last night, when I got there, to the banquet, I announced your absence, the accident, so forth. And everything went ahead. But then at the end, on my way out, someone... I wouldn't bring it up, but it could help, it could matter to...

Alan: For god's sake, Mike.

Mike: It's drugs. This person pushed a note into my hand. It says Jamy...was getting drugs at the Project.

(Kate stares, sits frozen)

Alan: Who was it? Who would say that?

Mike: I don't know. My attention went to the note. When I looked up, the entrance was jammed. I just don't know.

Alan: Why? It's so cruel. Ugly.

Mike: The "why" is easy. It's bribe bait. There's a number to call. They want money.

Alan: (Glancing at Kate, who's unreachable) So it starts. What's the threat?

Mike: Publication.

Alan: Publication?

Mike: It says they'll spread it to the other papers that Jamy...

Alan: Let them.

Kate: (Low) ...that Jamy Alan Marshall, son of candidate Alan Jacob Marsh...

Alan: Kate.

Kate: (Harsh) Pay it.

Alan: Honey, don't...

Kate: Pay it! I want out. Let them have it. Let them leave us alone, leave Jamy alone. I want out!

Alan: I can't. And it wouldn't end.

Mike: He's right, Kate. And it isn't the point.

Kate: And what is? That a payoff would be bad for the candidate?!

Alan: We know you don't care about that.

Kate: Damn straight, I don't!

Mike: Kate, that's not...

Kate: Don't you come at me. I'm not in his way. Jacob is.

Alan: What?

Kate: You're fighting Jacob. You still are, you always were. Mimi can't stop you, anymore than she could bully him. But you will leave Jamy out of it!

Mike: Kate, listen! I told you about this for one reason, and it has nothing to do with Alan. It's only...I thought you should know in case...

Alan: In case what?

Mike: In case it's true. (Silence) It would make a difference, wouldn't it? In how you proceed? There are tests you could do.

Kate: Get out.

Mike: Kate, think. Why was he...

Kate: (Furious) So simple, is it. Because you think he's yours? Not Jamy!

(All three are struck speechless by what Kate's said; Alan and Mike stare at each other)

Kate: (Choked) Get out!

Alan: (Hand towards Mike) Stay.

Mike: No way do I leave.

Kate: Both of you – go!

Alan: Kate, you said you can't follow what he's thinking.

Kate: I can't follow him – but, when it comes clear... (She breaks, dazed) ...there's snow, blowing, blizzard, shame.

Alan: What's wrong with you? Kate, you're the doctor here!

Kate: (Blinks, calm again) And he's the patient. He expects me to trust him.

Alan: What?

Kate: I asked him.

Alan: That's crazy.

Kate: Last week. And there's no way to be casual or even clinical, the lack of faith in the question "are you on drugs" is so immense. (Beat) You should have seen his eyes – surprise, then pain. And there was no way to unsay it, so I had to hear his answer...so soft. I'm unworthy – not since he first opened his eyes in my arms have I felt so unworthy...as when he said "no."

Alan: Kate. This is feelings, not facts.

Kate: I can't doubt him now! When he can't answer.

Alan: Then you're disqualified. (Beat) Mike should know an addict when he sees one.

Mike: Right.

Kate: (Shocked) You never cared for Jamy.

Alan: Don't you dare! How is it you're so sensitive to Jamy, and so out of touch with... How about tuning in to me, Kate? Jamy's the only living thing you're connected to!

(Stunned silence. Snow is returning to the scrim)

Alan: If you want to continue as physician to this child, then authorize further tests, because I, as his parent, am ordering you. And nobody expects me to be reasonable. Because I'm the grief-stricken parent. You're supposed to be the scientist!

(Through snow drifts, something is moving from a distance)

Kate: Jamy!

Mike: What is that?

Kate: That's it, Jamy – snow! And...

(There are two figures in rags now visible. Only one walks)

Alan: (Stares grief-stricken, murmurs words to caption the picture) If one hungers – so do all.

Kate: (Controlling tears) Yes. Oh god.

Mike: Here's his connection, you think? With the Project?

(The silhouette reappears – of a boy carrying a smaller girl)

Alan: (Motionless) Why have they no home? Has the nation no more land?

Mike: Where is it coming from?

Kate: Dreams call up the entire memory, but he keeps returning to...

(Silhouette fades. All watch, stunned)

Mike: (Soft) Is that all?

Kate: No, look...

(Snow becomes more distinct – blowing, blizzard. Then out of it comes the head of a buffalo)

Mike: My god!

Alan: (Softly, dazed) We're...broken.

(The buffalo drifts close, visible as a break in the blizzard; when it turns, we see the whole body, then it edges away, back into the storm. Scrim fades back to waves. Alan sits, collapsed, head in hand. Jamy's head turns, but he doesn't wake)

Kate: (Leaping to Jamy) Jamy! His head turned. (Checking him) His pulse is dropping. Jamy, speak! We're here, Jamy. (Spins to Alan and Mike) Find Gaia.

Mike: Kate...

Kate: You know it's what he wants from us!

Alan: You're not making sense.

Kate: Look by the water (Imperious) Find her!

(Blackout)

____________________________________

On scrim, images of huge bulldozers, machinery. Then, a raw hole, piles of wreckage. Then dark inside Project, people living in heaps of garbage.

Lights come up dim on Alan, filthy with mud, sprawled asleep in chair by Jamy's bed. Alan jerks awake at a climactic point, and the images disappear – they were Alan's dream. He stumbles, in stupor, to the end of Jamy's bed, and lies on it, asleep, clinging to Jamy's feet.

The images resume, but there's a sudden bright light from doorway, and Alan wakes, images disappear. Kate is entering with sheets of data. She stops, stares at scrim. It is blank, then Jamy's brainwaves fade in.

Alan: Oh. (Looks at Kate, foggy) Morning. I was dreaming.

(Kate moves to Jamy, reaches to touch him – silence. She removes the electronic cap from his head)

(Alan watches brainwaves disappear from the scrim, watches Kate back slowly away from Jamy, then turn to the board controls, and switch them off. The scrim goes dark. Kate looks at Alan)

Kate: They're going to move him as soon as Dr Nicklaus gets here.

Alan: Move him? But I thought...

Kate: He's staying deep. No more images. So they're taking him away.

Alan: Why didn't you...

Kate: Wait? I didn't want someone else to decide when I'd...lose contact.

(She sits looking at Jamy. Silence)

Alan: It means he's worse.

Kate: They're already monitoring him from the coma center.

Alan: (Pause) I'm sorry, Kate.

Kate: Gaia? Any sign?

Alan: I kept going deeper into the Project, questioned anything that moved. No one knows her.

Kate: When Jamy's moved, that's the end of it. They won't let her in. (Pause) Where's Mike?

Alan: I don't know. We separated once we got down there, like he belonged, and I'd slow him down. And Kate, I'm sure now – Jamy is Mike's child.

(Kate's gaze moves from Jamy to Alan, blank)

Alan: But nothing on earth can touch my love for him.

Kate: (Moved) I know.

Alan: Funny, that was all in my dream, and now I can't tell what really happened. Jamy never...?

Kate: No more, nothing. He's quiet.

Alan: I was walking, stumbling, then...my father. I know it was him because people were nodding, standing up from stoops, saying "G'day Jacob." And I wasn't sliding anymore, it was all sidewalk shops, rundown, still bustling – "G'day Jacob." A woman with Gaia's face but black hair, and a girl my age. And we came to the end. There was a barrier. A huge machine, a giant iron slug lifted high, falling, then - upturning, slabs of cement like ice breaking, exploding up. And I could see, just an instant, my father's face – so joyful, and then he was gone; he leapt into the earth beneath, as if it was water. (He sits staring)

Kate: Are you all right?

Alan: His joy was a slap at everyone whose home he stole.

Kate: Alan.

Alan: He made us all exiles.

Kate: Sit down, Alan.

Alan: He took land. I remember. And it's every exile's madness – to lose your home, your source of life! Like I did by battling him.

Kate: (Realizing) Wakanda.

Alan: (Distracted) What?

Kate: It's land.

Alan: I've got to find a way for the dispossessed to gain control – not to attack, but quietly...invade, penetrate, transform...us into them.

Kate: That's what he wants.

Alan: Who?

Kate: You were listening to Jamy. (Hands Alan sheets of data) Here.

Alan: (Reading) PCP, cocaine, LSD, heroin? You did the tests.

Kate: All known street formulas. All negative.

Alan: (Drops his head in his hands, choked) You knew he wasn't on drugs.

Kate: Yes, I was sure.

Alan: Then why did you do it?!

Kate: In case he doesn't wake. (Beat) So you'd be sure.

Alan: What's inside Jamy is the Project – people all but naked, quivering, lying in filth. No animal would...could live that way. Kate, I was staggering through piles of bodies, searching for the one my son...my... And Jamy was so sure – pulling me down the stairs – fanatical. Like us, when we fought for something. Oh god, I need to be that sure again.

Jen: (In doorway, with briefcase, clothing bag) He's not connected.

Kate: (Limp, staring at Jamy) No. No more.

Jen: Anybody here slept? (Beat) Dumb question.

Kate: How are you?

Jen: I manage.

Kate: Have you seen Mike?

Jen: No. Look this over, will you Dad? (Hands him a layout)

Kate: Could Mike be still down there looking?

Jen: It's the coverage piece. All I could find was Jamy's last year school shot. The one where he's screwed up his mouth to keep from smiling.

Kate: (Moving to Jamy) I don't want to hear this. (She picks up the stone)

Jen: Mom, it gets done. Who would you like to do it?

Alan: It's a good job. Thank you, Jen.

(Kate, barely able to stand, is checking Jamy)

Jen: Ok, good. Now get down the hall and shower. There's a press conference at ten.

Alan: What.

Jen: A press conference. They want to...

Alan: What the hell... No! (Turns abruptly)

Jen: Listen Dad, you don't have to go anywhere.

Alan: Stop treating me like a child! (To Kate) Jacob was a slum lord! And here I am doing it his way.

Kate: (Fighting sleep) He built a good paper, Alan. He wasn't clear evil.

Alan: I line up the stories, budget the front page, bring it in on time – his way. So when I step out onto the sidewalk it's him filling my shadow.

Jen: Dad.

Alan: And that's what they want from me – all these grasping city fathers think I'm a mouth-piece liberal they can use to flag down voters, that, really, down deep, I'm good old avaricious Jacob.

Jen: They've set up cameras in the lobby.

Alan: Shut up, Jennel! I'll be damned if I'm drifting anywhere you and Michael have in mind.

Jen: (Holds out his clothing) Thank you very much, Jennel.

Alan: What? Thanks for the change, I appreciate it. (Takes clothes bruskly) Just tell them to forget it. There's no candidate here. (Exits)

Jen: (Flops down, angry) They've been camped out all night. He could at least tell them what he has to say. (Pause) Mom?

(Kate, bent over Jamy's chart, doesn't respond)

Jen: Is Jamy...going to die?

Kate: Jen...

Jen: You gotta believe, Mom.

Kate: (Picks up Jamy's stone. Pause) Did you find Wakanda?

Jen: What?

Kate: Wakanda.

Jen: The box. Yes, it was right where she said. (Getting a narrow wooden box out of her bag)

Kate: I know what it is.

Jen: Turquoise inlay on the lid.

Kate: Jen, it's land.

(Jen is stunned, clutches the box to her)

Kate: Jacob had a piece, big, right down to the water. Mimi showed me that box the day I met her. And she's kept it. She wanted an estate there. But Jacob was waiting, he was going to cash it in, as soon as...

(Kate feebly laughs over her grief, fingering the stone. Jen, staring at the box, sets it down carefully, and reaches again into her bag)

Kate: What made him think he could buy the earth? Can you buy the sea?

Jen: Mother.

Kate: Or the sky? Or the wind!

Jen: Mother, I found something...(Getting out a clipping)...on Amay-jabul.

Kate: Please, Jen, I can't think.

Jen: (Laying out clippings) Look here.

Kate: Nothing matters any more.

Jen: Where's Mike?

Kate: (Crumbling into the chair) I don't know. Still out there?

Jen: At the Project? (No response) Look, it's an amazing story. Amay-jabul was...

Kate: Jennel, your brother's still out there. He hasn't come back!

Jen: Mom...

Kate: (Abruptly) It's an opportunity for you, isn't it.

Jen: For me?

Kate: To play at politics, notoriety. power!

(Jen stares, as though she's been slapped, and scoops up the box, clutching it to her)

Jen: What do you care? You hate this country!

Kate: (Struck deep, dizzy- ) Hate...?

Jen: You never told me you were married in Canada, Mother.

Kate: (Disoriented) Baby, please...

Jen: There's a flip over your registration. Mike's afraid it'll get out.

Kate: Oh god.

Jen: So, you weren't married till I was three?

Kate: (On overload) Jen...

Jen: And I'm a bastard. Jamy's your heir.

Kate: That's bullshit, and you know it! If it mattered, I'd have made sure you knew.

Jen: Can you tell me, for starters, who my father is?!

Kate: (Flaring) A lot better than I can tell you Jamy's!

(Jen stunned. Clutching the box, she backs away)

Kate: (Collapsing) Jen, wait.

Jen: It's Mike, isn't it.

Kate: Why are you so young?

Jen: It is him.

Kate: Like you're always on fire.

Jen: Am I like you?

Kate: More than one thing can be true, Jen.

Jen: And you left them both.

Kate: It didn't work, Baby. We threw our lives away.

Jen: On the war? Did both men fail you?

Kate: (Breathless, beaten) Jen...

(Phone rings)

Kate: (Picking it up) Yes, I'll do it. He'll be ready. (Lowering the phone) Dr Nicklaus is waiting for Jamy.

(Turned to stone, Kate prepares Jamy to be transferred. Jen starts to leave, then stops in the door– )

Jen: If you don't stand with Daddy now, he'll throw this nomination away. Is that what Jamy wants?

Kate: (Rigid, careful, as she works– ) Your father's not that simple. Back then, he was rebelling.

Jen: Against Jacob?

Kate: What else? We're all debris from our parents' wars.

Jen: Not this time. The crimes of his father will not be visited on Daddy.

Kate: (Shaking, her hands on Jamy) Then you tell me what Jamy wants! I swear I'll listen. I will!

(Upper level – glow begins, will reveal Gaia facing sunrise – arms stretched toward it. Below, Jen is frightened by Kate, backs away– )

Jen: I don't know. (Runs out, clutching box)

Kate: Tell me!! (Collapses, sobbing uncontrollably)

(Above, Mike appears, mud-covered, weak, and sees Gaia)

Mike: (Gasps) Gaia! I've been looking...everywhere...

(Gaia will not stop her prayer)

Mike: Gaia, is it you? Answer me!

Gaia: Hmmmph. Blind as ten bats.

Mike: The boy needs you. Jamy needs you. Please. He's...

Gaia: Straighten up, will you? Couldn't wipe your own nose. The father stands straight!

Mike: I'll take you to Jamy, Gaia. Will you come? Please come with me.

Gaia: Got a coffee? Dark, three sugars. Don't spill it.

(Scrim filled with ocean, loud surf, dawn is breaking. Kate, bent over Jamy, doesn't hear Mike stumble in. He touches her)

Mike: Kate...

(Feeling his touch, she turns into him, embraces him, desperately weeping)

Kate: Oh, Mike...

(Jen has returned, stands in the door, watching Mike and Kate)

Mike: (Still holding Kate) I found her.

Kate: (Gasping) Gaia?

Mike: Standing at the water. Her arms stretched to sunrise.

Kate: Oh god...he'll wake for her.

Mike: She's downstairs. She wants Alan. She won't come up unless she sees him.

Kate: (Running to door) I'll find him. Ring here if Jamy... If anything... (Seeing Jen, embraces her) It's all right, Baby. It's all right now.

(Kate rushes away. Mike, looks at Jen, and bends over Jamy)

Jen: (Pause) It's Mom you came back for, isn't it?

Mike: He feels Gaia near. He has to.

Jen: I must have been a nuisance. Forever untying your shoelaces.

Mike: (Looks at Jen. Beat. Carefully– ) Alan ran off to Canada. Kate was angry. I was there.

Jen: Then you left, too, for the war?

Mike: Yes.

Jen: And Jamy?

Mike: (Pause) We didn't know.

Jen: (Lump in her throat) Does she love you?

Mike: Who knows? Anymore than then. It's not so strange. Something about connection.

Jen: (Hard) The same fire?

Mike: Oh my darling Jen, please don't worry. Your father, my friend...is a king; I'll serve him well.

Jen: Then you and Mom...

Mike: In a right world with love in it, the queen stands with the king. I came back for them both, Jen. I need all of you.

(Mike lays his head on Jamy. Jen watches, then brings the clipping she spread out)

Jen: He was Lakota. You want to see?

Mike: (Picks up the clipping) Amay-jabul! Oh Jen.

Jen: It's out of Jacob's files. Long before Jamy.

(Excited, Mike puts clipping into projector. On scrim: First, the masthead of newspaper, then sweep to a photo like Jamy's dream: It is an antique picture of a boy famine victim, carrying a smaller girl)

Mike: (Reading caption) "Amay-jabul, a seven-year-old Lakota Indian, carries his sister Fanel on a forced relocation march. Their mother, Gaia, collapsed in the dry river bed two days earlier."

Jen: (Quietly, moved– ) Earth was given to all, but they no longer had a place in it, and...they were bewildered by this evil that was killing them.

Mike: (Nearly weeping) Jamy, I found Gaia. She's coming to you.

Kate: (In the door) Alan's with her. Feels like she's...raw power.

Mike: (Smiling) Yeah – regular force field. I'll go down. (Exits)

(Kate moves to Jamy, and places the stone in his hand)

Jen: You think Gaia can wake him?

Kate: If anyone on earth can. (Calm) Jen?

(Kate waits till Jen looks at her)

Kate: You think I hate this country?

Jen: It's all I remember – you raging against the USA.

Kate: But that's not hate.

Jen: Don't give me that, Mother. This hate of yours is the fiercest thing in my life!

Kate: (Breaking) Because it's not hate. It's love! Don't you know? Can't you tell? I love this country. Much too much.

(Kate shaken; Jen wants to embrace her, but can't move)

Jen: Then why...?

Kate: Because it hurts so much, when we do evil.

Jen: Mother, I...

(Overcome, Kate cups Jamy's hand, and the stone in it. When she looks up, her face is radiant)

Kate: Look here. It's only a little stone, but it's everything to Jamy. Like dirt we run through our fingers – it's nothing...but life itself. So I'm going find what this stone means to Jamy. But I'll tell you, I think it means Gaia. This Gaia, every Gaia. He found her, and he cares. And that's all we need.

Jen: Mom...

Kate: Tell me, Jen – who are we to remove Gaia's home, and make it painful, dangerous, impossible for her to live? Have we more right to life than she, because we're richer? Who will protect the Gaias, if not us? We have to hold all this life! (Beat) I don't know how I'll do it, Jen. But this wrong is burning in me now. So I promise you, and Jamy, that this fire will not die until I know what to do...and see it done.

Jen: (Staring at Kate, pause) I didn't...want to tell you...

Kate: Don't say anything.

Jen: Mimi says Wakanda is yours.

Kate: What?

Jen: (Hands Kate the box) She said "Now it's Kate's."

Kate: What does she think I'll do? (Beat) Do you understand what it is, Jen? It's huge.

Jen: Guess she decided you're her heir after all.

Kate: Before her son? She's taking away with one hand, and... She's trying to drive us somewhere.

Jen: She knows you're against Daddy. Her attorney's bringing papers this afternoon.

Kate: (Hugs the box to her) Wakanda.

Alan: (In the door) Dr Nicklaus won't let Gaia up.

Kate: I'll deal with him. (She doesn't move) Alan?

Alan: What.

(Kate extends the box toward Alan)

Jen: Mom...

Kate: This box has come for you.

Alan: Leave it, and come.

Kate: Yes.

(Kate places the box gently below Jamy's feet, then leaves with Alan. Jen puts her hand on the box, looking at it, then speaks tough to Jamy)

Jen: You sure do know how to make a scene. (Beat) But I dare you to do one I can't handle, you little brat. (Fighting tears) Look at you – left us on our own again. Useless grownups. (Beat) So wake up now, Ok? (Beat) Tell you what, you're right. Daddy could be a Chief. "Whatever you need from a Chief, he gives it to you. His whole heart, his whole mind...for his people." And Mama. Jamy, you'll never guess what Mama promised.

(Jen leans and kisses Jamy. As she draws back again, his head turns toward her)

Jen: Jamy? (Excited, watching him) Do you feel Gaia? She's coming.

Jamy: (Murmur, eyes closed) Gaia.

Jen: Yes!

Alan: (Coming through the door) Mom's getting her way with Nicklaus. When they come up... (Sees Jamy) He moved his head?!

Jen: Yes.

(Excited, they watch Jamy. Mike's at the door)

Mike: They're coming.

Alan: He moved.

(Mike sits at Jamy's feet, picking up the box to make room. Jen takes it from him)

Jen: Wakanda.

Mike: What?

Jen: (Opening the box) Look in the box, Dad. Now.

(Alan, reluctant to take his eyes off Jamy, lifts out a document)

Alan: It's...a third of the Project, the missing tract.

Jen: Mimi gave it to Mom.

Alan: She's been sitting on it, and now she's handing it over?

Jen: She said "Alan's become Jacob. His action be damned."

Alan: What do you think?

Mike: I think nobody can run you.

(Kate appears, breathless. Alan's putting the deed back in the box)

Jen: Mom!

Kate: Gaia's on the floor. (Swiftly bends to examine Jamy). They wrapped her. It's grotesque. She doesn't seem to notice. (Cry of pleasure) He's asleep! Only asleep now!

Mike: (Dropping to embrace Jamy's feet) Jamy!

Kate: (Sees Alan with box) You have Wakanda? Now you can do anything. (Takes a deep breath) Jamy may not...recognize us. It's normal. Don't...

(Silence. All are poised, waiting)

Mike: His eyes!

(Jamy opens his eyes)

Alan: (Softly) Jamy.

(Gaia appears, wrapped completely in white. She stands. Distant drums)

Jamy: Gaia?

Gaia: The child is awake.

Kate: Yes, Gaia. The child, too.

(Distant cheering. Alan looks at Kate, then places box in Jamy's hands. On scrim, in blending layers – wilderness, then Indian camp, then city, and so forth...as Gaia stands over the gathered family)

END OF PLAY

Tracking Blood White

A magic tale set in America, now.

A dying town vs. its Native American neighbors and a killer bear

that haunts the mountain they share.

Action is conjured by a company on an open stage. Scenes flow like story theatre, from tavern to forest to everywhere.

Lighting and sound are important. Thin pine trunks and a giant sky are ideal.

Needs 6 women, 4 men, a child

CHARACTERS

MATU\-------old as can be, Native American – warm as earth, angry as fire, has nearly forgotten her dreams.

BEN\---------barkeep, (doubles HOYATU) – town anchor, solid, wry.

DOVE\-------barmaid – half-soul, sexy, battered.

JIMBO\------hunter – man's man, joker with a good heart.

KAT\---------Jimbo's wife – funny, wise, resilient, with secret sorrow.

TEDDY\-----young hunter – rangy, like a colt trying on life.

FAYE\-------Teddy's wife – melting bride, a step ahead of Teddy.

BRAD\-------hunter – virile local hero, nature-loving builder who's losing his loved ones.

LENA\-------Brad's wife – transplanted artist, vivacious until crushed by her child's trouble.

JAWEA\-----(sounds like "Maria"), teen's, Native American – found soul, rough, serene in her healing ability, but defenseless.

SALLY\-------young as can be, Lena and Brad's daughter – bright, sweet-natured, but ill - lost herself in the woods

HOYATU\----old as can be, Native American (doubles Ben) – cynical, bitter, his immense power is crumbling with rust.

Tracking Blood White

Prologue – Campfire

Dark. Drum that fades to wood flute. From dark. Soothing voice of Matu telling Jawea the story. Gradually flickering glow of campfire reveals them as she speaks–

Matu: (Voice)

In the beginning

darkness covered the face of the deep.

On the first day

God created the heavens and the earth.

On the second day, the winds—

blowing four ways—

from the north, came brave winter;

from the east, growth and spring;

from the south, summer rain;

from the west, the autumn's harvest.

On the third day God created the animals—

those with four legs, those with wings,

and those that slither.

And on the fourth day, God created human.

And God said to the animals

"Behold, human is weak and will die.

"Therefore I give you this charge—

you sun, moon and stars, you many waters,

you great beasts of the field, birds of the sky,

you plants on the earth and beneath it.

"You must care for human,

give her to eat, and comfort him.

For they are your little brothers."

So God was obeyed, and human grew

Until she and he became many,

and God called them The People;

and they lived in plentiful harmony

among their stronger brothers

at the foot of the mountain...

until the Others came—

those who killed without hunger,

those who took without need,

those who knew not

that land was given to share.

When the Others cut down the forest,

the four-legged brothers dwindled and disappeared.

And the Others built their town...

while the People outside grew thin and cold.

And starved.

And God was angry.

So the Others began to suffer,

while the People, long-living with sorrow,

grew stronger beside them.

(A stomping beat begins, distant, then slowly growing in volume)

For three winters the north wind did not send his snow,

and the forest grew dry,

and the ski trails were empty,

and the great lodges caught fire and burned...

while the town grew thin and cold.

And now the Others were hungry,

so they ranged the dead mountain,

climbing ever higher, toward the virgin top,

where neither the People nor the Others could venture

because of a gigantic bear.

And they called this bear Blood White,

for no hunter climbed into his haunts without harm.

Each one who tried either disappeared,

or raced his terror back down.

__________________________________

The Tavern.

The beat bursts into western music. Smoky, bright shafts. Barkeep-Ben, hunters, barmaid-Dove, wives.

Ben: You boys ready to climb?

Jimbo: You got it.

Ben: Stoking up?

Teddy: Where's Brad?

Jimbo: Got your gear, Teddy?

Teddy: We taking your pickup?

Jimbo: Hell yeah. Got killer four wheel drive.

Teddy: Anybody seen Brad?

Jimbo: Big Blood White's gonna eat lead.

Dove: Brad ain't been here. Not since last night.

Kat: (Sarcastic) And you'd know, wouldn't you Dove?

(Wives glare at Dove. Men rush to change subject)

Teddy: Well he's late.

Jimbo: Gonna mount Bloody's head smack over your bar, whaddaya say, Benny?

Dove: How you figure to get him, Jimbo?

Ben: You taking traps?

Jimbo: Mebbe.

Ben: Traps is dangerous. Get him snagged, can't more than scratch him. And then he's mad. Bloody'll trip your trap, then ambush your ass when you come back to check it. Old Ray got his skull smashed past identifying that way. Just one lazy swat from that bear. Gotta catch Ole Bloody unawares.

Dove: Use still hunting.

Ben: Track him. Kill a horse. Set out bait. Heard his tracks show a 14 inch foot.

Jimbo: Paw, not foot.

Dove: Pads, an arch, 6 inch claws...

Ben: That's a foot. Faye, honey, you letting your pretty boy go after that bear alone?

Faye: Can't stop him, Benny. Sure would if I could. He's got me scared outta my socks.

Ben: Aaah, fresh little bride like you, bet you've got something could stop him.

Kat: You kidding, Ben? These studs are hot after nothing but bear.

Jimbo: (Swatting Kat's behind) Wash your mouth out, squaw.

Kat: Hey!

Ben: Sure would be a coup. Blood White.

Jimbo: See him over your head already, Ben? Hanging there, fangs up for a snarl?

Ben: Sure would say who owned the mountain.

Teddy: Damn straight. Ain't the stinking Indians, ain't the EPA, ain't the damn government.

Faye: (Cuddling Teddy) You be careful of bear hugs dancing with Bloody.

Teddy: (Dancing with Faye) Naw, I'll tell Bloody I'm saving my hugs for someone sweeter.

Ben: CNN should of hung around for this.

Jimbo: Why? Fire's out. Party's over.

Kat: scraping through ashes after bear don' t sell news

(Brad enters, with hiking pack loaded down with gear)

Kat: If it ain't your fearless leader.

Jimbo: Hey, Brad! Why so late? Lena on your case?

Kat: Start the party! Where's Lena?

Brad: Not coming.

Kat: What?

Brad: She's staying with Sally.

Teddy: Taking your .378, Brad?

Brad: Yup. And the pistol.

Kat: Want I should get her? I told her Suzy would sit.

Brad: Forget it, Kat.

Kat: Why. Is Sally worse?

Dove: (Squeezing his arm) I'll see you keep warm, Bradley.

Faye: You've took bear before, haven't you Brad? Teddy don't know nothing. He's just making up stories to scare me.

Kat: What's going on with Lena?

Brad: (Ignoring Kat) Ask yourself why the man's scaring you, Faye. Teddy wants you should give him respect.

Teddy: Yeah. A little effing respect.

Kat: (Insistent) Brad? What's up with Lena?

Brad: (Exasperated) I don't want her here!

(Uncomfortable pause. Ben breaks it, handing Brad a beer)

Ben: Anybody remind you boys it ain't bear season?

Brad: Hell with seasons. More sporting this way.

Dove: (Sliding her arm over his shoulder) Dance with me, Brad.

Jimbo: Seasons are crap. No game left anyway. 'Member the spring of '07? That was jumping.

Brad: Naw, it was already falling off. You just didn't see it till '09.

Teddy: We were still contracting. That was the first year with no snow. 'Member all the talk about 'warming' trends. Hell, they can make snow for the trails.

Brad: Ain't the same. Don't keep fires away. Now we got desert.

Teddy: Even the hunters don't come.

Jimbo: Aw, we were getting hunted out before that. Had t'happen one way or t'other. Tripping over each other out there. Getting dangerous to step out of the pickup. All these holiday Crocketts with their shiny boots and mahogany butts don't know their ass from their bore hole.

Ben: Taking dogs?

Kat: Not on your life! Dogs after Blood White come back dead.

Brad: Dogs make noise. And you need your ear out. There's nothing so quiet on earth as a giant bear. Completely silent. You turn a corner – you look to your side – for no reason at all, you glance up...and there he is. A thousand pounds of him. You'll never, ever hear him come. On those big pad feet.

(Lena's at the door, Jimbo sees her)

Jimbo: Hey, Lena! Get in here and cut a rug, Baby.

(Jimbo circles Lena round before grabbing Kat, and starting to dance. Brad straightens, barely believing she's there. Dove's arm slides off him. Lena and Brad face each other at a distance. There's big tension. She's carrying a small pack)

Faye: (Dancing with Teddy) Hi, Lena!

Jimbo: (Stepping between Brad and Lena, to both– ) 'Member your first night here, Lena? You eyed Brad, he jumped. Then you two stole the dancing prize – wowed us all. Never saw a dude gal could hoof so wild.

(Brad hopes Lena's presence signals a truce; his spirits lift, he ambles toward her, opens his arms)

Brad: Will you...dance with me?

(Lena's tension drops, remembering the past; she dances a few steps alone. They sway together. Brad reaches for her; she stops)

Lena: I brought you this. (Extending the pack toward him) You left it.

Brad: My food pack? Well, thanks. Is that why you came?

Lena: Yeah.

Brad: So I wouldn't starve?

Kat: What you drinking, Lena?

Lena: Nothing, Kat. Thanks.

Brad: That why you came? Or was it so I wouldn't miss my pack, and come back home?

Teddy: C'mon, Lena. Teach me them double figure eights.

Lena: Can't stay, Teddy.

Brad: You mean you won't.

Kat: Sure you can, Lena. Suz'll watch Sally.

Lena: (Going out the door) See you.

Brad: Sally's not gonna die the minute you live!

(Everyone shocked. Lena stops, and after a pause, says– )

Lena: That's not what this is about.

Brad: No? Then tell them. Tell your friends what you think.

Kat: C'mon, Lena. We all need a party.

Brad: Forget it, Kat. She calls this a stupid boys' game.

Jimbo: Whooh. You didn't say that, did you Babe?

Lena: What would you say? You're all out of work, out of luck. Are you looking for jobs? No. You're spending on booze, stuffing your kits with jerky, oiling up new gear– Telling yourselves you'll bring in a killer bear?!

Faye: But if they do, we've got bear stew to last the whole damned winter.

Jimbo: What I'd say, Lena Babe, is girls just don't understand.

Lena: You're gonna look real brave with your skull smashed, Jimbo.

Brad: Let the bitch go!

Kat: Bradley!!

Brad: Don't yell at me, Kat. She only dropped by to make sure I'm gone for good.

Kat: Don't talk dumb!

Brad: She gave me papers, Kat. (To Lena) Don't you walk away from this, woman. Your friends should know. I don't want them blaming me for what happens. She laid down the law, Kat. I'm forbidden to go on this hunt. How do you like that? And if I do go – I have to expect that she and Sally will not be waiting for me.

(Gasp – everyone's stunned. Lena faces him, awaiting a decision. Dove turns up music, begins to dance by herself)

Brad: Go home Lena! Get out of here.

(Lena turns, goes. Faye and Teddy are holding each other, watching. Jimbo holds Kat back from following Lena, and they dance. Brad strides across to grab Dove, and dance with her. Matu by her fire is spot-lit, while all dance, blend Indian drum)

Matu:

Matu's my name, you hip-hopping drug-heads.

And I've sat by this fire long enough to know–

if you watch your back, and your dealing's clean,

you ain't got to fear no killer bear.

But when an old world's dying,

its young are first to fall,

and when a new world's being born,

its young will bloom before.

So keep an eye on your young.

Ben: (Checking clock) Ten till dawn's light, boys.

(The hunters pick up their gear. The women cluster, helping them. Everyone hugging and kissing. Brad's especially lusty with Dove. Goodbyes, with whoops)

Kat, Faye, Ben, Dove: Go get him, boys!!

Jimbo, Brad, Teddy: We're gettin' Bloody!!

(Hunters disappear, loud pickup sound. Women alone, waving and whooping. Excitement dies as pickup fades, but Faye and Dove still bounce, shivering in chill air)

Dove: Want another drink?

Faye: Not much sense going home. Sleepy, Kat?

Kat: Benny's closing.

Faye: We could go to my place. Don't wanna go home alone.

Kat: Not to a cold bed, anyways. Think I'll stop by Lena's.

Dove: (Sarcastic) Oh, great.

Faye: She's gonna lose Brad, ain't she?

Kat: Shut up. Wanna come?

Faye: Sure, I'll come. You too, Dove?

Dove: 'Fraid it's not my cup.

Kat: It's all right. We're all girls here. Come on.

_________________________________

Lena's home

Lena is sitting perfectly still, waiting. A knock. Excited, she rises, then stops, hearing Kat's voice.

Kat: (Pounding again) Hey Lena! Let us in. It's cold out here.

Faye: I got a present for Sally, Lena.

Lena: (To herself) Oh God no.

Kat, Faye, Dove: Leeena!

(Lena moves to bar them, but they will burst past her)

Lena: I'm going to bed.

Faye: Now?

Dove: It's dawn already.

Kat: And you're dressed for company. Got a lover coming?

(They're in, and make themselves comfortable)

Faye: The big white hunters took off. We're on our own.

Lena: I don't want to see anyone. I want sleep.

Kat: How's Sally. (Looking for some) Got any coffee?

Lena: Kat.

Kat: (Playing dumb) What. Relax. Sally sleeping? We'll go in a minute.

(Silence. Lena's not going to thaw. Kat wonders how to reach her. Faye and Dove begin to doubt they should be there, but they're ensconced now)

Lena: What are you doing here?

(Kat just stares at Lena. Dove wants to escape)

Faye: Well we just...

Lena: You're scared.

Dove: (Nervy) What?

Lena: All of you. You're afraid if you sleep, you'll get visions of what a man looks like mauled.

(The women go white, picturing what they fear)

Kat: Now don't start...

Lena: ...with his bones mashed, and his face eaten away.

Faye: Let's go, Kat.

Lena: ...or his neck, or his belly.

Kat: Or any other readily available part.

Faye: Don't joke, Kat! I'll get nightmares.

Lena: Will Jimbo come home that way?

Kat: Shut up!

Lena: Will Teddy have legs to carry him?

(Faye starts crying; Dove holds her)

Kat: (To Lena) Happy now?

Dove: You can't stop 'em. They've always done it.

Lena: And we wait.

Kat: So that's life.

(Silence)

Faye: They're scared too. But if they beat the monster they win.

Lena: Win what? Jimbo's losing his homestead.

Kat: There's no contracting. He can't go back to logging, that's finished too. What's he sposed to do? With three kids.

Faye: Teddy's been scared since he found his buddy Nelson...

Lena: When he'd shot-gunned his face?

Faye: ...morning they came to auction his machinery.

Dove: Month after Nelson's your best man.

Kat: Was one helluva winter. (Swallowing the lump in her throat) But, hey! Our boys're out climbing the mountain.

Dove: It's a lift, anyways.

Kat: Jimbo's so primed, he got it up last night. First time since Christmas.

Faye: (Giggling blush) Go on.

Kat: Oh, Missy, pump your stud while you can. After 20, he'll take a long slide down. Double quick, when he's got no job.

Dove: (Laughing) You tell it.

(Lena glares an accusation at Dove. Dove faces Lena, unashamed)

Kat: Bank on it– There ain't no fun in a man who don't feel like one. How bout that, Lena?

Lena: (Looks at Kat, chalk white) Just go, please.

Kat: Since Sally took sick Brad's been a shadow of himself, ain't he.

(Lena's mouth opens, but no sound comes; she turns her face away. Faye's embarrassed at Kat's pressing Lena. Dove's curiosity sizzles)

Kat: You and Brad were the hottest thing this town ever saw. Tears my heart out to see you now.

(Faye, anxious to change subject, takes a rag-doll from her pocket)

Faye: I made Sally something...here.

Lena: (Dragging her face back to look, says hoarsely) That's real pretty, Faye.

Faye: Should I put it in by her? She's asleep, ain't she?

Lena: She won't take notice either way. If her eyes are open, she's awake.

(Faye tiptoes to Sally's bed, pulls Dove with her. Kat presses Lena)

Kat: Sure you feel abandoned that Brad went off, but he's gonna burst, Lena. I half-think that's why Jimbo cooked up this hunt.

Lena: So Brad could escape.

Kat: Sure.

Lena: What about me? What about Sally.

Faye: (Returning) I guess she's awake, but she... (Silence as Sally's condition sinks in) I'm seeing Doc in the morning, Lena, I could... You want we should go – I mean, me and Dove?

Lena: Yes. All of you.

Faye: But Kat should stay. You need to talk it out, Honey.

Lena: (Moves abruptly to look out) Go. I want you gone. It's getting light.

Dove: (Low) Told you there's a lover.

Kat: (Brushing Dove aside, challenging Lena– ) What if Sally dies while Brad's on the mountain.

Lena: (Choked) Don't say that.

Kat: You know she could.

Lena: Get out of here!

Kat: You'll blame him, won't you.

Lena: I don't blame him!

Kat: Course you do. And even if you didn't, he's so wracked with guilt, he's near out of his mind. I see him. Why do you think he's hanging at Benny's all the time. Pouring his guts out to Dove, here.

(Dove chews her lip, and looks the other way)

Kat: You think it's cause you froze him out? Hell it is. I grew up with him. He'd never stand for that, if he didn't think he deserved it. He's dying inside. The only thing he could do to please you is the one thing he's helpless to do – bring Sally back. Doc's told you. You know I love her like my own daughter. But we all know – Sally's dying. Ain't gonna help her to kill the daddy, too.

(Lena stares at Kat – struck, then crumples, sobbing. Kat scoops Lena into her arms)

Kat: Oh baby, cry. We'll put you to sleep. And when you wake we'll have a great breakfast.

Lena: (Protesting) No...

Kat: You got flour left, ain't you?

Dove: Benny's got some rotten bananas and choke cherries. I'll run get 'em.

Lena: (Panicking) No...

Kat: See? Sizzling johnnycakes. And Faye'll make coffee. Those guys'll be sorry they're tromping the chilly mountain.

(Knock. Surprised pause. It's what Lena was waiting for, but what to do now?)

Faye: Who's that? It's not even six.

Kat: Phantom lover.

Dove: (Looking out) An Indian.

Kat: Be damned, Lena. You turning blood?

Lena: (Catching her breath, stands) Let her in.

Kat: It's a squaw?

Dove: Probably begging.

Faye: What for? Their casino's raking it in.

(Lena thrusts past them, to open. Jawea stands looking at her. She's barely more than a girl, but poised and still)

Lena: Please come in.

Kat: (Wary) Lena, I don't think you should...

Dove: (Muttering) Looking to steal.

Jawea: (Looks at them, doesn't move) Got bad air here?

Lena: These women are leaving. I'm Lena. Please come in. I've finished the bowl Matu asked for.

(Jawea moves in, ignoring the others, who buzz, uneasy, offended)

Faye: Matu's that battle-axe won't give the time of day.

Dove: 'Less you're a hunky brave; she's got a fresh one every new moon.

Lena: (To the women) Do you mind? (To Jawea) Please sit; be comfortable. This is Kat, Faye, and Dove, on their way out. And you are...Jawea?

Jawea: I need to wash.

Lena: (A little thrown) Certainly. Right through there.

(Lena directs Jawea to the bathroom, off.)

Faye: Least she'll be clean.

Lena: You're gone.

Kat: What's going on? Who the hell is she?

Lena: (Deep breath, then– ) Jawea's come for the pot I made Matu.

Kat: Yeah? And how do you know Matu?

Lena: She trades baskets for coffee at the Post.

Kat: While calling every shot out there.

Lena: All I know is she liked my pots. (Beat) So. I'll see you all later?

Dove: I heard of Jawea.

Kat: What?

Dove: Big to-do on the rez. Since her "woman-rites" last summer.

Faye: Is she the one?

Kat: What?

Dove: She's a healer.

Kat: What! Lena...

Lena: (Quickly, hushed) Quiet. Be quiet. This is my business.

Kat: Your business. This pagan...

Lena: How many did we lose from flu this winter, Kat? Six, eight, thirteen? Your mother, your nephew...

Kat: What's my mother got to do with this? They lose twenty, thirty at the rez every year. They ain't even got a hospital. They load them out on truck beds.

Lena: Not this year.

Kat: And before she died, Mother said...

Lena: This year, the rez only lost two.

Kat: (Beat) I don't believe it.

Faye: She's only a girl.

Kat: What are you up to? Behind Brad's back, the minute he's gone?

Lena: Did I want him to go? I'd have told him if he'd stayed.

(Jawea reappears. Lena has impulse to shield her, but Kat seems silenced by her presence. Jawea is still, watching them. Faye puts her hand on Kat, to guide her out, and Kat takes a step to go, but is very upset, can't keep quiet.)

Kat: It's not medicine these people do, Lena, it's religion. I know! They draw spirits out of the mountain.

Faye: They take drugs.

Kat: They drum.

Dove: Dance all night.

Kat: It's like voodoo.

Lena: (Steady) You come to my house. You tell me Sally's dying...

Kat: And I'm staying. Brad's my friend since before we were born. I won't let his child be touched by a...

Lena: An Indian?

Kat: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

Lena: What if this girl can cure Sally?

(Stunned pause. No answer to that)

Lena: It's nothing to do with Brad. It's on my head.

Kat: She's Brad's daughter too.

Lena: No. He left. I asked him not to, but he did. So I'm free to go my own way.

Kat: Lena, don't be crazy.

Lena: My way's no crazier than his. He climbs the mountain. All I'm doing is sitting here with Sally, same way I've been sitting every night since Brad left her alone in the woods.

Kat: It wasn't his fault!

Lena: Of course it wasn't.

Faye: Let's go, Kat.

Kat: This'll kill him.

Faye: Let's go.

Kat: Lena?

Lena: (Beat) And what about Sally.

(Kat stares at her, and at Jawea, then bolts for the door. Faye follows with Dove, who looks back at them. Lena is watching Jawea, who's been motionless since she reappeared)

Lena: Forgive us.

Jawea: (Looks at Lena) I'll take off now.

Lena: No. No, please...sit with me.

(Jawea watches Lena a long moment, then moves to sit. Quiet)

Lena: Matu said... (Doesn't know how to begin)

Jawea: Just talk. I only speak American.

Lena: That's not it. I just... It's so important. Matu said you'd help me. (Looks at her) No, I'm lying. She didn't say you'd help, she agreed to send you to talk. She said you were not a trained shaman, but that you had a gift.

Jawea: You don't belong here.

Lena: (Startled, then understanding– ) No. I'm from the coast, by the sea, but my husband...his blood runs deep in the hills.

Jawea: He belongs?

Lena: Your people were here before his.

Jawea: I haven't got people. I was born in the city.

Lena: That's why you speak only English?

Jawea: I could've come from here, but I was...

Lena: (Beat) Lost?

Jawea: Sort of. My mother told a story before she died about the People and the mountain, but I never believed it, because she drank.

Lena: But did she say...

Jawea: (Interrupting) And your child?

Lena: (Startled beat, then– ) Sally's her father's child. Always in the woods. Like a fawn. So there was no way I could take her back to the sea. But now...I don't think she even hears the bob white.

Jawea: (Fixed on Sally) What happened to her.

Lena: (Choked) We don't know. They went for a walk – she and Brad. I'd hauled my pots to the City Spring Fair – there'd been no snow all winter, so no tourists to sell them to. In the woods, Brad always takes his shotgun, for birds. But Sally doesn't like the sound. So when some turkeys crossed up ahead, Brad went after them, and Sally hung back. He told her to wait where she was, but she...she must have wandered. Then, when he got his bird, and called her, there was no answer. (Beat) He got frantic, of course. Shouting for her, searching. And we think now she'd slipped into a shallow den, close by, but wouldn't answer, thinking he was angry. Then when he went off, she fell asleep. It could have been that way. (Beat) Just past midnight, he finally staggered home – to get torches, to get help, wildly hoping someone else had found her. But it was me, dragging back from the fair, who met him. In all my life, I'll never forget the look on his face. (Beat) We went back with Jimbo and Kat, searched until light. And then I found her, down deep in pine needles, under the elbowed out roots of a log. It was a den, still fresh from its winter bear.

Jawea: What did she say?

Lena: She seemed fine. Asked about the fair...as though nothing had happened. But the doctors wanted to monitor her. And Brad and I were in shock ourselves. It's hard to know how she was then, because soon she began to have this...weakness. And by now she's been tested for everything on earth. But she keeps slipping farther away.

(Jawea moves close, watching Sally sleep. Lena controls her emotion, quickly– )

Lena: Finally, the psychiatrist said Sally may have faced "being alone in the world" at an age too young to accept it, and therefore be...damaged emotionally – feeling we abandoned her, that she can't trust us with her safety, that she's alone forever.

(To Lena's surprise, Jawea laughs)

Jawea: On the rez, they'd be more practical.

Lena: On the rez?

Jawea: They'd say– "She thinks she's a bear." We'd dance to bring her spirit back, and then she'd be well.

Lena: Because of the dance?

Jawea: Yeah. Hoyatu, Matu's man, was a great healer.

Lena: Matu was married?

Jawea: He went up the mountain long ago. Said the valley was too weak.

Lena: (Confused) But with a dance, a child like Sally would be completely healed?

Jawea: Yup.

Lena: Why? What would...?

Jawea: Because they believe it.

Lena: And so does the child.

Jawea: Uh-huh.

Lena: Then what about Sally?

Jawea: She could have had a vision.

Lena: God...

Jawea: She could have seen something from the spirit world.

Lena: (Rush of relief) Something she doesn't know how to tell us?

Jawea: That can happen when you stay alone. It's how we find our path. And if Sally loved the woods, she'd be open to it. She might be out of balance with plain life now.

Lena: That's what you say when someone's sick? They're out of balance.

Jawea: Of harmony, yeah.

Lena: Will you try to help her?

Jawea: I could be wrong. Some sickness is Indian, some not. We come to town to cure Anglo sickness.

Lena: Anglos can't cure her. A dozen doctors already; they do nothing. No one can even tell me what's wrong.

Jawea: If she were Indian, I could...

Lena: (Sharp) She's only a child! Does it matter what she believes? (Instant softening) I'm sorry. Of course it matters. You see how I need you. Please.

Jawea: Look, I'm not a medicine woman. I know nothing.

Lena: But you do have a gift.

Jawea: The people say my gift is a sign of their deliverance; I'm not allowed to give it away.

Lena: To Anglos.

Jawea: Right.

Lena: But to help a child? She doesn't even know she's an Anglo.

(Jawea looks long at Lena, then puts out a hand to her. Their hands clasp)

Jawea: Sit by her. Hold your sleeping daughter.

(Lena cradles Sally in a pieta. Matu chants, far away)

Jawea: Breathe with her. Breathe deep. Close your eyes. See yourself with her, loving her. Warm, where she sleeps, deep in den of the bear. Now–

(Jawea sits facing them. Takes Sally's hand, lifts it on her own, palm to palm, then covers it with her other hand, letting warmth flow from hand to hand. Sally's breath deepens, her head turns, her eyes open and see Jawea)

Sally: (Weak, but clear) Who are you?

(Lena gasps, excited)

Jawea: Friend of yours.

Sally: Good. (Sliding back to sleep)

Lena: (Hushed) Oh my god.

Jawea: My friends call me Jawea.

Sally: (Blinking awake) I'm...Sally.

Jawea: Want to play with me, Sally?

Sally: I want to.

Jawea: Then you will.

(Sally looks at Jawea, imagines running with her, begins to lift herself, smiling)

_________________________________

High on mountain

Dark with streaks of sunset color becoming pitch dark, woods sounds clear: "Crunch" of steps coming, then "Yeow" of someone taking a fall, off.

Teddy: (Stumble-rolls on, then crouches over his ankle) Damn! Ouch.

Brad: (Hushed behind) What the hell you doing? Get your barrel out of the dirt. Jesus.

Teddy: (Struggling to right the high-powered scoped rifle he carries) Tripped over a log or something.

Brad: (Grabs rifle from Teddy) See why you leave the safety on? Could of blown yourself up. Or worse yet, me.

Teddy: Tangled my foot. Can't see a thing.

Brad: (Looking out) Yeah. Sun dropped fast.

Teddy: (Rubbing ankle) Where's Jimbo. Ouch.

Brad: (Makes bird sound) Oou, oou, oooou (Listens) He better not have... Oou, oou, ooou. (Listens. No response) Damn, if he's lost...

(Silence. Then crackle, off, of something moving)

Brad: Figures.

Jimbo: (Off) Guys could light a fire. (He appears, huffing)

Brad: Here?

Jimbo: How much farther we gonna stumble? Light's gone now.

Brad: Not our fault. Lost an hour with your shortcut.

Jimbo: You sure we're not on the top quadrant?

Brad: Nope. Followed the perimeter, due west about two miles since the Braves place.

Teddy: "Braves" place, yeah– "spook" place. All that skin hanging. (Rubs ankle) Auuh.

Jimbo: (Sliding his pack off) This spot's good. Level enough.

Brad: (Giving in) All right. (Slides his pack off)

Teddy: What do they do there?

(As talk goes on, they set up a lean-to for shelter, stow packs, gear, carefully place weapons. Teddy loosens his boot, groaning. They're exhausted, hushed, so as not to advertise their presence. They are in thin pine forest, with branches 50 feet above)

Brad: Indian boys climb to become men, stop there, pray to the mountain I guess.

Teddy: Pray for what – a convertible, a keg, and college?

Brad: They don't cross higher because up there's the Gods' place. Just hang themselves up on trees, by their titties.

Teddy: Jesus.

Brad: They hang long as their skin holds out. When it tears loose, they fall.

Jimbo: What we eating?

Teddy: Least you didn't try to camp under it.

Jimbo: I'm starved.

Brad: Got jerky, beans...

Jimbo: And beer!

Teddy: Should of let me snag that doe. Man, she was this close. I had her dead on my cross hairs. Could be eating venison.

Brad: Then what? You gonna pack it? We're not gaming. If it's not Blood White, you don't shoot it. That way we get no jumpy wildlife, no stray shots, no blood spoor.

Jimbo: And no cooking anyway.

Teddy: What?!

Jimbo: Don't want to send out extra smells. Your feet's bad enough, don't you think? Bloody'll know you're here in a second. Come round to lick your toes. Would you hand me a goddamn beer!

(Breaking out food, they sit and eat, ravenously)

Teddy: (Mouthful) Getting cold.

Jimbo: We're pretty high.

Teddy: We allowed a fire at least?

Jimbo: Sure we ain't stepped on Bloody's side yet?

Brad: Nope. Never been sighted this far down. Nobody ever been lost till they cross the timberline. We'll stay out of his territory till dawn.

Teddy: Sure quiet.

(They all listen)

Brad: Hear the pines? Way up there.

Teddy: Hardly a whisper.

Brad: Been here a lot longer n'you been listening.

Jimbo: Lucky it didn't burn this high. What game's left moved up.

Brad: Here, and onto the Skin's land.

Jimbo: Damn reservation. Never did a thing with that land. Lazy bastards.

Teddy: What makes them Indians think the mountain top's theirs?

Brad: Never belonged to nobody.

Teddy: We could as soon say it's holy to us, you know?

Jimbo: (Sniggers) Yeah, march up here 4th of July, tamp down a flag...

Brad: All we gotta do is take out Blood White. Place'll be wide open.

Teddy: Be more "hunter orange" up here than there's trees.

Jimbo: Probably give us a statue down center of Market street – like those Iwo Jima guys.

Brad: (Beginning to build a fire) Break down your rifle, Teddy. Needs cleaning.

Teddy: I just did.

Brad: Not since you rammed it into that pine bed, you ain't.

Jimbo: What you figure to take him with, Brad?

Teddy: (With his new rifle) Brand new Colt AR 16. Yeah! This baby'll stop him dead.

Jimbo: Don't count on it. Packing an automatic? What if a game marshal stops you?

Brad: You picture a marshal on this hike?

Teddy: Crime bill, my ass. Like to see those pussies in Washington try a single action on a pack of coyotes ripping sheep's throats.

Jimbo: Well, that there's an assault weapon.

Brad: Naw, what he's got there's a coyote deterrent.

Jimbo: (Setting up emergency flashlights) Don't mean it'll stop Bloody.

Teddy: Who's ever tried? What'd you bring? Your 30 aught 6?

Jimbo: I'd rather of.

Teddy: Wouldn't even pick off a cub.

Jimbo: Mebbe. But don't you count on dropping him clean. No matter if your first shot's dead on his brain, it's still just an opener.

Teddy: What do you mean?

Jimbo: Once you've got Bloody's attention, it's his game. You just pray you can stay in play. He comes at you like a runaway freight train, mowing down saplings like toothpicks, moving so fast he's a blur. And you're right. My old 30 aught 6 wouldn't even tickle him. 'Less I shot it up his nose.

Teddy: You trying to scare me?

Brad: (Enjoying it) Spot like that, Teddy boy, holding your nerve's more important than your aim. Cause his rage triples his strength: once I tracked a she I'd hit up to brush, heard her whining in there, hit her again in the heart – she spun and roared, blowing bloody foam, came flying at me, fangs snarling. Third shot hit square in her eye – she never lost a step, kept flying for my throat, split second off, half a leap away. My last shot smashed up through her jaw, but if I hadn't jumped clear as I fired, she'd still have had me with the pass whack.

Teddy: The what?

(Brad grins; Jimbo collects and packs the food, straps it up a tree)

Jimbo: Pass whack. She flies on by, doesn't even stop to claw you, just gives a swing in passing. You know old Mac? Side of his face's a mushed up blob? I helped cart him home. He said he heard his face bone crack, had ear and nose both dangling loose, his lungs showed through his cracked up ribs, and he's only hit but once.

Teddy: Leave me alone! Think I've never been out? Me and Nelson took a dozen deer before he...(Remembering Nelson shot in the face, can't speak)

Brad: Yeah. Nelson.

Teddy: (Pause) So what'd you bring.

Jimbo: My Winchester .378. (Setting it out) And the trusty 44. (Patting shoulder holster under his jacket)

Teddy: Why do you want that?

Jimbo: You got no pistol?

Teddy: What for? Weighs me down. Got no range.

Brad: Hunh.

Teddy: What?

Brad: Thought you were listening. "Range" is nice, but your bear takes care of it for you real quick.

Jimbo: Say you're pass whacked – your rifle flips into the next county, cause he'll latch his razor prongs into your shoulder and toss you high. Then when you've hit the ground he spears your butt, tosses you again, then shakes you like a mouse he needs to tenderize, and when you're spread out nice and soft, he gets down to claw rakes and biting chunks of every part there's meat. Only chance you've got is when he's sure you're dead, and decides to bury you. Now – circumstance like that – like the Vikings said, your sword's not too short if you get up close – I mean, you're right, a pistol won't stop a big bear. But if I'm belly up on the meat block, I'd trade my fist for a pistol any day. Ain't that right, Brad?

(Brad is chuckling)

Jimbo: Bear hunter's best friend is a good holster, strapped on tight.

Teddy: So, ah...how'll we go after Bloody?

Jimbo: Humh.

Brad: (Pause, staring into fire) Carefully.

(All quiet. Forest night sounds. Wind high above)

Brad: You ain't got hollow points, have you, Teddy?

Teddy: Course not. Solids, 200 grain.

Brad: Good.

Jimbo: Once we cross higher...

Brad: We'll spread out, move quiet, and look for sign, but chances are he'll find us first.

(They are settling into their bedrolls)

Brad: Naw, pull back, Teddy.

Teddy: I'll stay warm up close.

Brad: You're also lit up, like a sign says "eat me." Sleep in the shadow.

(Teddy moves back from fire. Silence, as they all relax toward sleep)

Teddy: Heard the Indians think he's a spirit.

Jimbo: Blood White? Naw, he's real.

Teddy: Ain't sposed to be grizzlies here.

Jimbo: He ain't a grizzly.

Teddy: Heard he's got the Frankenstein shoulders.

Brad: May be why they think he's a spook.

Teddy: Ever seen him?

Brad: Once. At sundown, on a ridge across. Gigantic, up on two legs, looked almost human. He may not really be white, but with the sun glancing off, he just...glowed, like he's ablaze.

Jimbo: (Pause) Great time for some pussy.

Teddy: You got that right.

Jimbo: Don't like being without.

Teddy: Guess you'll make it, Jimbo. If I can, you can.

Jimbo: Brad?

Brad: Yeah.

Jimbo: Lena'll forget all that crap.

Brad: Think so?

Jimbo: Sure. Specially, we come home with that big bear skin.

Brad: Sure.

Jimbo: Bet Bloody squares ten and a half feet. Don't you think?

Brad: At least.

Jimbo: Yeah. She'll be glad to see that.

Teddy: (Pause) How'll we ever move him? Dead weight... (Pause) Brad?

Brad: Gotta catch him first, Teddy. Then we'll worry.

(Silence. Night sounds, fire glow)

Jimbo: (Sings) "Bye baby bunting, Daddy's gone a-hunting...

(Teddy chuckles, hearing him)

Jimbo: "...to catch a little bear skin, to wrap his baby bunting in."

Brad: Jimbo...

Jimbo: Yeah, Brad.

Brad: Feel different to you out here?

Jimbo: Since the fires, yeah. (Pause) You ain't been out since Sally got lost?

Brad: Couldn't. Felt sick every time I hit the woods. Like the world's dying. Like it's some curse, since the fires. Forest sounds different. Like everything that spoke there is gone.

(Night sounds, as they fall asleep. In distance, Matu chants. Then shuffling in woods, twigs crackle. Brad sits straight up, listening, reaching for rifle)

Brad: (Hushed) Jimbo. (Beat) Teddy.

(Crackling stops. Pause. Then begins again)

Brad: (Chambering a round, clicking off safety) Jimbo.

Jimbo: (Groggy) What.

Brad: You lock up the meat?

Jimbo: (Rousing himself) Yeah. Everything's high and tight. We got a visitor?

Teddy: What's going on?

Brad: Shut up and listen.

(Silence)

Jimbo: Maybe scared it off.

Brad: Yeah...

(Jimbo stokes the fire)

Teddy: Should somebody stay awake?

Brad: No need. I wake if a squirrel moves.

(They settle back; trying to sleep. Brad clicks his safety on, but keeps his hand on his rifle. Silence)

Brad: Jimbo.

Jimbo: Yeah.

Brad: Something's breathing out there.

Jimbo: Wouldn't surprise me.

(They fall asleep again, fire dies, Matu's chant builds until Jimbo feels breath of the beast on his face and yells in dark– )

Jimbo: Christ!

(Sudden animal grunt, snarl. Men jolt awake, scramble for their weapons, blindly)

Brad: Jimbo! Watch out.

Teddy: Where's my gun, where's my gun!

(Stumbling in dark. First shape we see – bear clamped on Jimbo's shoulder, tossing him)

Jimbo: Aaaaaaah..!

Brad: Where are you, Teddy?

Teddy: Over here, over here. I'm trying to get my...

Brad: Stay clear! Roll, Jimbo, so I can get a shot. Jimbo! I can't see you. Jimbo!

(The shadow lunges toward Brad and he fires, but is swatted aside. They each get mauled. Teddy is clawed and gets his leg chomped. It's as though a tornado hits. Can't reach rifles in dark; leave them. Camp is torn apart, shredded)

Jimbo. Just get out, leave everything. Run. Run!

Brad: Don't scatter. Jimbo! Don't scatter.

Teddy: Where are you? Don't leave me, don't leave me!

(And though they struggle to get shots off, the bear's thrashing roar as he gashes through tents and flings gear high like an erupting volcano make them scramble, terrified, and literally run for their lives. The bear rages through the camp, smashing, devouring)

Sally: (Call) Daddy.

____________________________

Lena's Home

The shredded remains of camp becomes house cleaning Lena's doing in her exuberance. A corner pile, and rifle butt in another corner will stay put.

Sally: Daddy?

(Sally's reclining, still covered and weak, but in a bright mood)

Lena: (Energetically cleaning) What you need, honey?

Sally: Is it Daddy coming?

Lena: (Startled, wondering what Sally heard) No. Daddy's gone hunting.

Sally: (Delighted) Oh, it's Jawea.

(Jawea enters, carrying a wrapped cake tin)

Lena: She knew you were here...

Jawea: Cool.

Lena: ...before you were. And she woke up hungry!

Jawea: Matu loaded me with corn cakes. Said you should heat them.

Lena: Did she like the pot I made her?

Jawea: Already started on a basket to set it in. Lucky I had the pot, or she'd have scalped me for staying so late.

Sally: I'm ready, Jawea.

Jawea: You'd better be. I've got a long climb today.

Lena: You're going for the herbs?

Jawea: Yes. Matu says the yarrow grows up high.

Lena: (Catching Jawea by her hands, moved– ) Jawea, I can't tell you...

Jawea: Don't bother. Sally's good for me. Matu says "Watch who sits in your path. They have something to show you." So this little weed...is my crossing light.

Sally: Have I turned green?

Jawea: You're getting close.

Sally: Can I be Jawea?

Jawea: Sure. Mom named me Jane, but when my gang took African names, they called me Jawea, after some Native chick.

Sally: I'm climbing the mountain with you.

Jawea: You bet you are.

Sally: Not next time. Today.

Jawea: Can't. I need you here – to play that you're with me. Cause then I'll find your herbs three times faster.

Sally: Faster than what?

Jawea: Faster than if you don't play. It's hard work.

(She circles Sally with her arms, taking both hands in hers, closes her eyes, rocks, and hums. Sally hums with her. Matu's chant under. Lena watches, moved

Sally: Your hands are so warm.

Jawea: That's what we want. Power is flowing.

Sally: (Happily mimicking Jawea) That's what we want.

Jawea: (Humming, then– ) What do you think about bears?

Sally: I don't know any.

Jawea: Do they scare you?

Sally: No! Mother bears love their cubs.

Jawea: I wished for a mother bear. When mine died, I thought I'd be alone forever. But it's not true. No matter what happens, Sally, you're never alone.

Sally: Cubs stay warm.

Jawea: My people call the bear strong medicine. Hoyatu told Matu the bear gave us healing. If you went to sleep in a bear's den when you were lost, maybe you had a strong dream there. When you're well you'll remember your dream, and you'll know it's good.

Sally: I am well.

Jawea: (Taking a pollen pouch from her neck) Want to see what's in here?

(Knock at door; it's Kat. Jawea opens the little bag, lets Sally look)

Sally: Yellow?

Jawea: From flowers. Like star dust. Here's some to bless you.

(Jawea tosses a pinch of pollen at Sally, who laughs; Lena lets Kat in)

Kat: (Chatters) Sorry, I keep worrying about the guys. Brought you some stew. Just look at this potful; how'd I manage to make too much for all those kids and me?

(Jawea moving around Sally, tossing pollen at her. Kat freezes – amazed at Sally's liveliness, but horrified at the pagan rite)

Sally: "Ring around the rosy"... Why do you go in a circle?

Jawea: I stand everyplace good can come at you. From four directions. The circle strings them together, and it stands for all the good, everything God made. And you sit on the crossing place. The very very center of good.

Sally: (Opens her arms) The very very center.

(Jawea hugs Sally. Kat hides her face. Lena puts her hand on Kat. As Kat recovers– )

Kat: Sally... Do you remember me?

Sally: You're Auntie Kat.

(Kat embraces Sally, ecstatic. But then she's faced with Jawea, swallows her revulsion)

Kat: What was that...with the pollen?

Jawea: (Pleased) You know it's pollen?

Kat: (Denying) No I... I just... (But Kat's hiding something)

Jawea: I'm not a medicine woman. I just say what I know.

Kat: (Twisting) Oh God, Lena...

Lena: We all pray any way we know, don't we Kat? Try Matu's corn cake.

Kat: How did it happen? How did she...

Sally: I'm all better, Jawea.

Jawea: (Kissing her forehead, rising) Better every day.

Sally: I can climb the mountain.

Jawea: You need more rest.

Sally: I can walk.

(Lena and Kat watch anxiously)

Jawea: Your heart wants to. But first your mind has to walk. I need you to think of me climbing, think of me finding the herbs we need to make you strong.

Sally: (Holds out her arms) Jawea, help me.

Jawea: (Can't resist) One little promise of your power. Then you've got to rest.

(Jawea supports Sally as she shakily slides her weight forward)

Sally: Watch me, Auntie Kat. I'm getting up.

Jawea: Just a step, little bear.

(Lena and Kat wary, excited, as Sally slides feet to floor, puts weight on them)

Sally: See me stand! See me stand!

_____________________________________

Mountain

Teddy's wail meets Sally's "See me stand!"

Teddy: Braaaaad!

(Morning. Teddy stumbles on, ragged from tearing through brush all night, clutching his mauled arm. He's still in the nightmare, fighting for his life. Huffing, he hears only distorted nature sounds in his crazed perception of what is, in fact, a beautiful clear day – sun bores on him, insects torment, everything in the woods is his enemy)

(The hunters are in despair. The hunt they hoped would renew them backfired – humiliating, more certainly destroying them than all the civilized defeats they've suffered. Extreme hazard vs. lyric bird sound)

Teddy: (Mutters feverishly) No one coming. Gotta get down.

(Gasping, Teddy moves again, then stops, his eyes wide, hearing movement in brush)

Teddy: (Call) Who is it?!

(No answer. Crackling comes closer)

Teddy: (Muttering) Won't catch me sleeping, you son of a...

(He looks frantically for something to climb, huddles, trying to hide. We wait, with crackling increasing...till Jimbo drags on, in even worse shape, dragging a mauled leg. He stands huffing, peering about)

Teddy: (Gasp) Jimbo.

Jimbo: (Growling gasp) Stupid kid.

Teddy: (Throws himself at Jimbo, embraces, sobs– ) You're all right.

Jimbo: (Embracing him) Get hold, get hold.

Teddy: (Erupting) I was lost. Couldn't see anything, just ran, ran... Did he get Brad? It was like a whole sea hit, a hurricane, I saw him pick you up... God, Jimbo.

Jimbo: (Shaking Teddy) Get hold! We're 'bout half way down. Gotta find Brad.

Teddy: Brad led the bear away. I could hear him. What if he's...in pieces. What if...

Jimbo: Shut up! Gotta find him. Where's your rifle?

Teddy: Rifle? You gotta be kidding. Ripped outa my hand. Before I could even flip the safety off. I just ran.

Jimbo: Shit.

Teddy: Lucky we got yours.

Jimbo: We ain't. When he tossed me, it flew. Didn't have time, in the dark.

Teddy: Well, what's that? There it is, Jimbo.

Jimbo: You're crazy. We're miles down the mountain.

Teddy: It's right there.

(Teddy's pointing to rifle butt, unnoticed till now, as though afraid of it)

Jimbo: (Moves to it) That's not mine. (Picks up rifle) It's Brad's.

Teddy: Oh god. Then he was here.

Jimbo: Maybe. (Begins surveying the area)

Teddy: What are you... Jimbo?

(Jimbo stops at pile of debris)

Jimbo: He's here. Half of him.

Teddy: Oh god. Is he...moving?

Jimbo: No. Doesn't look... (Rolls Brad over, debris falls away) ...eaten.

Teddy: (Holds himself, sobs uncontrollably) Oh God.

Jimbo: Stop it! He's all there.

(Brad is whole, but seems dead. Jimbo, taking deep breaths, tries to hold himself together, finally bends upstage, and heaving, vomits. In midst of this general breakdown, Brad groans)

Jimbo: Brad? Brad! You just passed out, you shithead?

(Brad groans again, painful)

Jimbo: Wake up! You son of a bitch.

Brad: (Blinking awake) What?

Jimbo: What'd you do?

Brad: (Dizzy, feels his forehead) Bear was charging me. I looked back, on the run. Must have hit something.

Jimbo: Like a tree, head-on. He didn't chew you.

Brad: Maybe thought I was dead. Buried me for later.

Jimbo: Jesus!

Teddy: We gotta move, we gotta get outta here.

Brad: What we got left?

Teddy: Nothing. Bear got everything. We got nothing!

Jimbo: Shut up! Still got my pistol. Couldn't get it out, but the holster saved me. Bear chomped my shoulder. Bit right into it. What'd I tell you?

Teddy: Get up Brad! We gotta get out of here.

Jimbo: Tarzan got the shakes.

Teddy: Jesus!

(Teddy crumples to ground, clenching his teeth against sobs that shake him)

Teddy: I want my rifle.

Brad: OK, Teddy. We'll go after it.

Jimbo: Don't talk nuts, Brad.

Brad: Man needs his rifle. (Surveys clearing ahead, eyes on alert)

Teddy: How we gonna go home? How we gonna face 'em?

Jimbo: Jesus.

Brad: Man needs his nerve.

Teddy: What we gonna say? Freaking bear chased us off the mountain?!

Brad: Hush up, Teddy. You'll be missing game.

Teddy: What.

Brad: Shhh. Get down.

Jimbo: Jesus.

(Alarmed, realizing Brad senses movement in clearing; they crouch, watching)

Brad: Yup.

Jimbo: What d'you see, Brad?

Brad: Last pine right of the clearing, something nosing in.

Jimbo: Bear don't forget his kill, Brad. He's coming back.

Brad: Ain't a bear. Wind's our way. Don't know we're here.

Teddy: Jesus, what you looking at?

Brad: Pick up my rifle, Teddy.

Teddy: Me?

Brad: You need this kill.

Teddy: (Holding himself, shaking) I can't...

Brad: Chamber a round, Teddy.

Teddy: (Eases rifle up and against his shoulder) Brad, I can't...

Brad: Just what the doctor ordered. Fresh kill. Bet it's a two year doe.

Jimbo: Yeah. She's stepping out.

Brad: Take her.

Jimbo: Got her sighted?

Teddy: Yeah. She's...

Brad: Wait out your aim. Breath deep and squeeze.

Jimbo: Doe meat is sweet, man.

Teddy: She's just about... Shit.

Jimbo: What's a matter? Wanta give me the shot?

Teddy: It's a squaw.

Jimbo: What?

Teddy: Ain't a doe. It's a squaw.

Jimbo: (Takes rifle, sights– ) I'll be damned. A two-legged doe.

Brad: What you talking. She's clear of the woods?

Teddy: Pisses me off.

Jimbo: It's a little squaw.

Brad: Way up here?

Jimbo: Calm as you please. Poking through weeds.

Teddy: Why ain't she scared?

Brad: Figgers she owns the place. Lemme see.

Jimbo: Sweet meat, all right. It's a young one.

Brad: (Looking through scope) Uhuh. Moving this way.

Teddy: I'll take her. (Taking back the rifle) Still-hunt style.

Jimbo: Hey, hey, there's life in the kid.

(Jawea is moving slowly, gathering herbs, unaware of them)

Teddy: Cute ass. Bent over like that. Give her a scare.

Jimbo: She'll flip that sassy tail, and run.

Teddy: Oo, lift that skirt.

(Jawea straightens suddenly, senses something)

Brad: (Hoarse whisper) She's sniffing bear.

(Quiet. Jawea goes back to gathering, moves closer. Unexpectedly, the three men stand. She freezes, startled, her knife slips to the ground, but she looks at them calmly– unafraid. Distant Matu chant. Low drum begins)

Brad: (Pause) Long way from home, Missy.

(Jawea watches calmly, as Teddy and Jimbo break in two directions away from Brad, begin circling the "prey")

Teddy: Out picking weeds? It's dangerous up here.

Jimbo: Girl shouldn't be alone.

Teddy: What if you met a big bad bear?

Jimbo: Sweet thing like you.

Teddy: Think it's your mountain, do you?

Jimbo: Run. Give us a chase.

(Jawea senses danger, but regards them quietly, like an animal waiting, holds her gathered herbs like an offering, toward each, as they approach her. Drum beats closer)

Teddy: She's not scared, Jimbo. (Pause) How 'bout a piece of doe? Seal the pact? Just us and the mountain.

Jimbo: (Chuckling) What a kid.

Teddy: What say, Brad. Want a lick of this? ("Indian" hoot) Woowoowoo..

(Teddy starts to close on Jawea, and she finally decides to run, but Jimbo also moves to grab her. Brad hesitates– )

Brad: Wait.

Jawea: (Low) No.

(The herbs fly. Jawea struggles and squawks, but Teddy pins and ties her like a calf, with Jimbo whooping him on. Indian sounds increase, like approaching battle)

Brad: Teddy!

Jimbo: Brad wants to go first.

Teddy: No. He offered me this kill.

Jimbo: So give it to her. I'm next.

Brad: Teddy...

Teddy: Wait your turn, Brad.

Brad: Wait!

(Jawea screams. Background shrieks of savage Indian battle. Lights dim fast to tavern as the three surround her. It isn't clear how many rape her.)

___________________________________

Tavern

Segue into whoops of triumph at tavern. As hunters turn from Jawea, Kat, Dove, Faye and Ben surround them, celebrating their return. Jawea is sprawled downstage.

Jimbo: We done it!

Teddy: We met Blood White, and lived to tell it.

Kat: Looks like he got a few pieces of you.

Jimbo: Nothing that counts.

(Whooping laughter)

Dove: Round on me!

Ben: To the mighty white hunters!

Kat: Bless their pink tails.

(Cheers. Jimbo and Teddy hug their women. Only Brad watches Jawea, dragging on her belly across the stage and out)

Jimbo: Giant Blood White caught us with our pants down, but here we are, still on three good legs. (Laughter from everyone)

Kat: Believe you and we'd believe anything.

Dove: Brad should tell it.

Kat: Come on, Brad.

Dove: Spin us the yarn.

Faye: Yeah, Brad'll tell it straight.

Ben: Come on.

Kat: Brad?

(Brad drags his head up; they're all looking at him, waiting)

Brad: What?

Kat: Tell the truth.

Dove: What really happened on that mountain?

(Jawea's scream repeats in distance. Shaken, Brad begins– )

Brad: Blood White came on us at midnight... (Stops, seeing Lena approach)

(Brad faces Lena, miserable, but her face lights with clear joy– )

Lena: You're home!

(Lena spreads her arms, runs to embrace Brad. He's overjoyed, swings her around. The others roar their approval, and country western music swells)

END ACT I

ACT II

Lights rise on Jawea coming to, disoriented. Her herbs are scattered around her. Struggling to rise, she hears Matu's voice instructing for her woman rite.

Matu:

A girl becoming woman

runs the run of her life

racing four ways,

to each point of the winds,

proving she's fast and strong enough

to lead her tribe

She bears the wealth,

she carries the health

of her people.

So run girl, run!!

_____________________

Lena's Home

A bedsheet has shifting shapes as a playful romp goes on under it. Chuckles; an occasional shriek.

Lena: Let me go.

Brad: Who's gonna make me?

Lena: Stop it. Don't you dare.

Brad: Ready or not...(Laughter and shrieking, as rolling uncovers them, Brad in pajama bottoms, Lena in nightie. She straddles him)

Lena: Oo, here's another bear scratch. Now you'll get what's good for you.

(She bends sultrily to him. As he holds her they sigh deeply, together)

Brad: Oh baby, having you alive again, I can't tell you what it does.

Lena: But I can tell.

Brad: My mind keeps racing, couldn't even sleep. If Sally's really better, we're gonna have it all back, Lena. I know it. Maybe because I got so close to death, I see now I'm a mess; I've lost hold of everything I love. But I'm getting it back. I just have to stop expecting the old life to still work, just stop bitching, and use what we have. Cause it's so much, Lena.

Lena: (Looks at him, tender; then– ) Bet you could use some good old coffee. And I want to tell you about Sally's doctor.

Brad: No, stay, don't move. I gotta tell you the idea I have. I can market your pottery.

Lena: What?

Brad: Your pottery. That's what we've got to sell. It's the only income we've had all winter, ain't it? I can hook up the same marketing system I worked out for contracting– just go looking for venues, let them know your quality, might even set up some shops. You can stay with Sally, turning out product – I spread it around. Art is good business now, people want it, especially when it's got use, when it's practical.

Lena: (Astonished, moved, joyful) My god, listen to you.

Brad: It's all coming out of the same earth, ain't it?

(She embraces him)

Brad: But today all day we're staying in bed. (They start another laughing roll)

Sally: Daddy?

(Lena and Brad lie still, hearing her. Sally is pulling herself to her feet)

Brad: (Gasp) Sally?

Lena: I told you.

Sally: Daddy? Are you home from hunting?

Brad: It's really her.

Lena: Answer.

Brad: (Frightened, near tears) It can't be.

Sally: (Standing) Daddy?

Brad: (Stumbling up) Yes, I'm home. (Scoops Sally into his arms, barely daring to trust she is so alive) I'm here, baby. But I didn't get you a bear skin.

Sally: Bears need their skin. Don't shoot bears, Daddy.

Brad: (Kisses her) Oh you love. (Carries her to their bed)

Lena: Go on, crawl back in, and everybody gets lazy breakfast. How's that?

(Lena scurries to make them breakfast)

Sally: That's good.

Brad: (Snuggling next to Sally) You like your new doctor?

Sally: Yes! I can hear Jawea, Mommy.

Lena: (Hesitates) No, she's not here yet.

Brad: Who's Jawea?

Sally: My best best friend. She's taking me up the mountain today.

Brad: She is?

Lena: Not today, darling. Soon.

Sally: Jawea knows everything about bears.

(Knock at the door. Lena starts, worried about Brad's reaction)

Sally: That's her, that's her! Open it, Mommy.

(Lena takes a breath, moves to door. Not Jawea, but Matu is there)

Lena: Matu. Come in.

Matu: Is she here?

Lena: Jawea?

Matu: Not here. Don't tell me this.

Lena: Not since yesterday. What's wrong?

Matu: What'd you do to her?

Lena: Please come in. You're scaring me.

(Brad's pulling on pants and a T-shirt)

Matu: No. I have to find her.

Lena: Just for a minute; sit. I'll give you coffee. You look terrible. You know my husband Brad? You remember Matu, Brad. She makes those magnificent baskets, and she's promised to teach me how.

Brad: (Wary) Sure. Hello.

(Matu nods, clutching her arms, and sits. It's awkward. Brad would not normally speak to Matu, and she wants nothing to do with him. Lena pours her coffee)

Lena: Matu and I are talking about a combined product line – her basket holder with my baking pots.

Brad: That so.

Lena: Matu's father was chief, you know.

Sally: Where's Jawea?

Lena: On her way, honey.

Brad: (Looks from Lena to Matu) This Jawea is from the reservation?

Lena: That's right.

Brad: Ah.

(Angry, Brad moves to his gun, breaks it down to clean it, while they talk. Lena's more worried about Jawea, than about Brad's anger)

Matu: She was here yesterday?

Lena: Yes, and then went up after herbs.

Matu: Ach! I shouldn't have let her near you.

Lena: Please don't say that.

Matu: She doesn't know the mountain. She's a child who found a gift and thinks she's an eagle.

Lena: She seemed so sure.

Matu: Hah. Just a starved city sparrow.

Lena: But you gave her woman rites.

Matu: So she'd feel at home; all girls can heal that day.

Lena: She has power, Matu.

Matu: (On her way, ironic- ) Right. The lost one came bearing gifts. I've got to go.

Lena: And she didn't come home last night? What can I do?

Matu: I think you've done enough. (And she's gone)

Lena: (Following) She's all right, Matu; she has to be. When you find her...

(Matu's gone; Lena turns back, utterly beaten, moves to fix breakfast tray for Sally. Brad watches, trying to control himself)

Brad: So. This best best friend is an Indian?

Sally: Jawea is more than my best best friend, Daddy. She's my doctor.

Brad: (Stunned, carefully– ) What?

Sally: She makes me well.

Brad: Don't tease, Sally.

Sally: She comes every day.

(Brad is staring at Lena. Lena looks at him unable to speak)

Brad: You haven't brought in one of those Indians.

Lena: Brad, I was desperate. You saw me. Crazy with fear. I know there's no way you can accept this, easily. But try. Please. For us.

Brad: Lena, you know how I feel.

(She runs to him, holds him, using all her heart to will him to listen)

Lena: Baby, baby, please. Look at Sally. Remember how she was, how she barely knew you, how she couldn't raise her head. And now she's smiling, her eyes are alive. Oh god, remember, baby, and believe me – Jawea is the only reason for this change.

Brad: I can't listen.

Sally: Mama?

Lena: Yes, darling. Your breakfast is right here.

(She moves to Sally, sits her up, ready for tray. Brad picks up his rifle, starts out)

Sally: Daddy?

(Brad stops without turning back. Pain grips him, like his wounds grown cold)

Sally: You promised to play with me.

Brad: (Putting down rifle, moves to her) Sure, baby.

Sally: See how I make mountains with my knees? Then my people can live there.

Lena: (Coming with tray) Here's hot muffins.

Brad: (Puts his hand on Lena's) Smells great.

(She leans to kiss him)

Sally: Why isn't Jawea here, Mommy?

Lena: I don't know, darling.

Sally: I feel sleepy.

Lena: (Fear begins) Eat your muffins.

Brad: Here. I'll line all your people up for breakfast.

Sally: (Fading to sleep) I just...feel...

(Sally slides back to pillow, falling asleep. Lena stares at her, blinking back terror)

Brad: It's probably the excitement. My coming home.

Lena: No. I haven't seen her fade like that since Jawea came.

Brad: Or since I left? Sally's better when I'm gone. That's what you want to say. Maybe our fighting poisoned her.

Lena: (Holds him) No no my love, you're back safe. And a miracle happened. We just have to trust it. We just have to hold on to each other. Please, please try.

(Brad buries his head against Lena, holding her tight, until she hears something– )

Lena: (Joyful) She's here!

(Brad confused, but releases Lena, smiling, wanting happiness as much as she. She runs to door. There stands Jawea. She's torn, bedraggled, in shock, but holds out the herbs. Brad sees the squaw from the mountain. His fear turns him to stone)

Lena: (Alarmed) You're hurt! I'm so glad you're here. You found the herbs?

Jawea: Herbs...

Lena: Sally missed you. And Matu came looking. What happened to you?

Jawea: (Seeing Brad) Aah...

(Her herbs slide to the floor, and, as Lena swoops after them, Jawea pulls her knife, and holds it toward Brad. He doesn't move)

Jawea: (Gasping) I'm going home.

Lena: No! You're hurt. And Sally needs you. (Seeing the knife) Jawea, no! (Grabs Jawea's knife arm) Don't be afraid. This is Brad. This is my husband. Brad...?

(Lena's urging Brad to ease Jawea's fears, but he's stone)

Jawea: He's...Sally's father?

Lena: That's right. (Arm around Jawea) This is Jawea, Brad. The young woman who's made Sally well.

Brad: (Numb) She's filthy.

Lena: She's had an accident. She's been on the mountain. He won't hurt you, Jawea. Brad, please try.

Brad: You expect me to let her touch my daughter?

Lena: She's saving your daughter!

Brad: (Pause) Send her away, Lena.

Lena: What's wrong with you.

Brad: Send her away.

Lena: (Panicked, in despair) No.

Brad: If you don't, I'm gone.

(Lena's mouth opens with only a slight sound. She clings to Jawea. Brad watches them, grabs his pack, his rifle, and leaves. Then Lena crumples, weeping. Jawea stands numb)

Lena: I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. So much has happened.

Jawea: I'm gone.

Lena: No. Please. I'll take care of you. Please just wait. Sally wants to see you. We'll wake her.

Jawea: I can't see Sally.

Lena: Why? Oh, please. Please don't say that.

Jawea: Her father...

Lena: Don't listen to her father. He's gone. Sally loves you. You found the herbs, didn't you? You had a terrible time. But now you're back, you're safe, everything's all right. God helped you.

Jawea: (Looks at Lena) God?

Lena: Let me wash you.

(Lena brings basin, soaps rag, gently cleans Jawea's face, neck, arms, as tavern is set)

Lena: Tell me what happened.

______________________________

Tavern

Brad bursts in, holding his rifle. Kat is lunching. Benny and Dove at work.

Brad: Where's the guys?

Kat: Hey, hot shot!

Brad: I'm going back up!

Kat: Must've been some homecoming.

Ben: What'll it be, Brad?

Brad: Where's Jimbo?

Kat: Roared himself into a stupor. Since, he's done nothing but sleep. Take a load off.

Brad: We got to get back up there. Today.

Dove: You're crazed, big boy. This'll quiet you.

(She puts down his customary drink. He drinks. Kat eyes him apprehensively)

Kat: Listen, Brad...I keep thinking about my mother, and you know, my brother that died...and I gotta tell you, there's some stuff coming down. I know how you're gonna feel. And I'm with you 500%...

Brad: What you trying to say, Kat? I thought you wanted to forget that brother.

Kat: There's a squaw been visiting Sally, named Jawea...

Brad: (Bolting out of his chair) Gotta get the guys together.

Kat: (Grabbing him by the arm) Now don't get riled, I'm with you! But for some reason Sally seems to...respond to this Jawea. I don't believe in what she's doing, but I figure, if Sally's getting better, maybe we just have to set quiet about it, for the time being, you know what I mean?

(Brad's stressed to bursting)

Kat: And if Lena's getting some hope out of it, then...

Brad: Hey Kat, Jimbo tell you about the little brown doe we came across?

Jimbo: (Entering) Here you are.

Kat: Hey. The troll king rolls out of his cave.

Jimbo: Damn women.

Kat: Just taking my lunch hour, sweetie.

Brad: (Shoving his empty glass forward) Benny. Lay me one again.

Dove: Little early in the day, love?

Brad: I'm on the move.

Jimbo: Gimme a beer, Benny. I'll have my lunch too.

Kat: How's Sally today?

Brad: (Glaring at Kat) Sleeping. Why didn't you tell her, Jimbo?

Jimbo: Tell her what?

Kat: Something about a little brown doe you came across?

Jimbo: (Pales, looks at Brad, blusters) Can't trust women with hunting stories, Brad...

Kat: Oh, no?

Brad: Fine juicy doe like that?

Jimbo: (Warning) Ah– Brad?

(Faye and Teddy are coming in)

Teddy: Hey, lot's loaded with pickups. How'd you all get out so early?

Jimbo: Time you got in here. Brad's got a head start. We gotta corral the bastard.

Kat: He's just hot to get back up the mountain.

Jimbo: Aw, give it a rest.

Faye: Hi Kat. Hi everybody.

Brad: (Laughing) What's the matter, Jimbo?

Jimbo: I'm getting too old for hunting, man.

Teddy: Needs a long rest. Not about to hump that baby again. Hey honey, can I tell 'em? (Squeezes Faye)

Faye: (Grins, but evades– ) Heard Sally's better, huh Brad?

(Brad looks at Faye, dead-faced)

Teddy: Aw, let me tell 'em, will you?

Brad: (Springing) How about I tell the gals our deer hunt story, Teddy?

Teddy: What deer hunt?

Jimbo: Brad...

Brad: ...about that juicy doe we found.

Teddy: (Paling) What?

Kat: So tell it, Brad.

Jimbo: I'm taking you home, Brad. You got a touch of fever.

Teddy: Could be poison from the claw rakes.

Faye: Well, where is this doe? Why aren't we packing her into the freezer?

Jimbo: Come on home. Lena'll fix you up.

Brad: (Lurching away) I tried that! I got no home!

Teddy: Jeezuz.

Brad: And you won't either! (He sucks in air, then coos at Kat and Faye) See, we got this little doe zeroed in the sights. Teddy had my rifle. And then we just spread out a little, and started to close in. Right, guys? She looked up, kinda bewildered, and we could almost taste her.

Teddy: (Terrified) My god, he's lost it.

Kat: Let him tell it! What'd you do?

Faye: Teddy took her, didn't he.

(Jimbo has Brad by the arm, shoves him to end of bar. Teddy follows, blocking women. Kat watches, suspicious. Faye and Dove buzz together, amused at boys-show)

Jimbo: What the hell's wrong with you!

Brad: She came down. I saw her. Little doe came down from the mountain. Come to haunt you. You're going to see her everywhere.

Jimbo: Get a hold on, Brad.

Brad: Thought you'd take a dip and come out clean, didn't you? But it sticks. And it spreads. She'll touch everything that's yours. Everything you got. I'm just trying to protect you. Give the girls the word 'fore that doe walks in here to skewer you.

Jimbo: What you saying? You saw the squaw?

Brad: At my house! How long's it take to walk from there to here? That's all the time you got.

Teddy: Oh God.

Brad: Damn you, Teddy, it's your fault! I tried to stop you. Now we're dead: she's here!

Teddy: Did she tell Lena?

Jimbo: Did she know you?

Brad: She knew me. Shoulda seen her face.

Jimbo: Christ. Then Lena knows.

Teddy: What can we do?!

Jimbo: She can't name us, if she don't see us.

Teddy: You're dreaming. If she told Lena...

Brad: I'm outta here. That's all.

Jimbo: I'm not staying for this.

Teddy: Who's gonna listen to an Indian?

Brad: Expect your little bride'll laugh it off?

Teddy: Jeezuz!

Jimbo: Girls don't get what goes on in the wild, Teddy.

Brad: (Lunging toward door) You guys coming?

Kat: Coming where?

Jimbo: (Bravado) Can't let Blood White whup us! S'get some grenades. Cream the bastard.

(Teddy's glance slides guiltily to Faye)

Faye: (Uneasy) Wait a minute. What are you talking?

Jimbo: Blood White's plopped down on your brand new rifle, Teddy.

Faye: (Plants herself in Teddy's way) You promised, Teddy. Never again.

Teddy: Baby, I...

Brad: (Turning in door, taunts) We climb that mountain again, Teddy'll wet his pants.

Teddy: (Grabs Brad) You're crocked, or I'd kill you.

Kat: Nobody's going anywhere. Just what's going on?

Brad: Big brave hunter. Nails a little doe.

Teddy: (Pounding Brad) That's it!!

Ben: That's enough!

Brad: (Deflecting blows) You tell 'em, Teddy. Get the bear! That'll fix everything.

Kat: (Pulls Teddy off Brad) C'mon, Brad. We're driving you home.

Brad: Wha- Why?

Kat: Cause Blood White raked the heart clean out of you.

Brad: Got that right. (Pulling free) We letting a bear throw us off the mountain, guys?!

Jimbo: No!

Brad: So who's calling the shots?

Kat: You're talking suicide, Bradley! (Grabs Jimbo, leaving) So talk to yourself.

Brad: Jimbo brung it up. It's Jimbo's idea.

Kat: (Glaring at Jimbo) He didn't mean it.

Jimbo: (Huffs) You'll find out what I mean. (Beat) Benny?

Ben: Yeah, Jimbo.

Jimbo: You still got that rack of automatics?

Ben: Sure do.

Faye: Teddy! (Her tone stops everyone) Do not break your promise to me.

(Teddy stares at her – his face sagging, heart breaking – but backs away with the men. Faye goes limp, collapsing. Kat catches her)

Jimbo: (Quick) Ben?

Ben: Out back.

(The men exit with Ben, flinging arms over each other's shoulders)

Brad: Let's get 'em, boys.

Kat: Teddy, you can't go! Don't give up, Faye; I need your help.

Faye: (Holding her belly) It's over, Kat.

Kat: Nothing's over, but something's happened.

Faye: Insane macho bullshit happened. And I won't go through it again. Not now I'm pregnant.

Kat: (Stunned) Does Teddy know?

Faye: That's why he swore he'd never go up there again.

Kat: (In awe) So he's that scared. The whole damn sky is falling.

Faye: Scared of what?

Kat: (Looks at Faye, beat– ) You love Teddy?

Faye: Jesus!

Kat: They did something bad. You ready?

Faye: For what?

Kat: I don't know yet. But it's bad.

Faye: What the hell are you talking about?

Kat: This is a cover! Don't you see? They're more scared of our finding out what they did with this doe, than they are of Blood White.

Faye: (Staring at Kat) What did they do?

Kat: I don't know. Anything. What would scare them?

(They look at each other, thinking terrible things)

Faye: (Frightened now) Lena knows.

_____________________________

Lena's Home

Lena washes Jawea's legs and feet, chats warmly, but Jawea is silent. Matu's chant.

Lena: You didn't see Brad at his best. (Looks at Jawea; no response) He hasn't been since Sally was lost. The more unhappy he gets, the more...brutal he seems. But you should have heard him this morning, so happy, talking about life as though he'll begin it all over. I'll bring him around, I know I can. You aren't hearing me. (Gazing up at Jawea) Did you fall? You got lost? These scratches are terrible, Jawea. Please tell me what happened.

(Jawea hurting, but won't tell what happened to her)

Jawea: You told me about your hand on the clay, spinning.

Lena: (Puzzled) When I shape a pot on the wheel?

Jawea: How you find life in the clay.

Lena: That's right...

Jawea: But how sometime the shape is wrong.

Lena: Yes.

Jawea: And your hand knows. The clay tells it, in the spinning.

Lena: Yes. (Beat) Are you saying you can't touch Sally?

(Jawea looks at Lena, but doesn't answer)

Lena: You can't let her father stop you. Then you're as wrong as he is. You have to help her.

(Jawea gets up. Lena gets frantic)

Lena: You'll punish a child because a man was rude to you?

Jawea: (Moves to door, but, wanting to tell, hoarse– ) Her father...

Lena: So you're running off? Sally's just a misshaped pot you'll let die. Do you think you're God?

(Jawea is out the door. Lena falls to her knees, weeping)

Lena: Please don't go! Jawea, I'm sorry. Please forgive me.

(Jawea holds herself, lowers to haunches, rocking. Lena is quiet)

Lena: Don't trust me again. I'd destroy you to help Sally live. I was a good person; but I've turned fierce, ugly; the only time I feel pure is when she's awake. I had no God, but now I'm losing everything, I keep looking for signs; so I believed you were sent to me: if you could reach Sally, wherever she'd gone, you were the sign she'd be saved. But now...you're in terrible pain, I can see that, but all I can think of is how it hurts Sally. I've gone crazy.

Jawea: (Gazes at Lena, wanting to tell her everything) We do know things by signs.

Lena: Yours tell you to go?

Jawea: Yes.

Lena: Then go. With your God.

(Jawea gets up to leave. Lena doesn't move. Jawea looks at her)

Jawea: Mama bears aren't crazy.

(Sally is waking. Jawea stiffens with fright)

Sally: (Calling softly) Jawea?

Lena: (Restraining her excitement) You're frightened?

Jawea: (Choked) Yes.

Lena: You can't go to her?

(Jawea numbly shakes her head)

Lena: (Lump in her throat) Then go quietly.

Sally: Jawea?

(Jawea looks at Lena, frightened)

Lena: She was here. But she couldn't stay.

(Jawea breathes deep, begins to leave)

Sally: You told her I missed her?

(Jawea stops in the door, clutches herself, from pain)

Lena: (Bravely) Yes. She was sorry to go. She found the herbs you need. I'll make you some broth.

(Jawea starts to move away)

Sally: Was Jawea lost on the mountain like me?

(Jawea stops, spins, runs back to face Sally. Lena's gasp of joy)

Sally: I knew you'd come.

Jawea: Yes.

Sally: My daddy came home from hunting.

Jawea: (Beat) Yes.

Sally: Jawea. Give me your hands.

(Lena looks at Jawea, hardly daring to breathe)

Jawea: Hold her.

(Overjoyed, Lena cradles Sally. Jawea sits facing Sally, extends her hands. Sally places her hands in Jawea's, who now hopes to lose her pain by healing Sally– )

Jawea: Don't be afraid. You're safe in the den. You can see the mountain, your brother creatures, the trees– (Stops abruptly) It's not working.

Lena: Don't stop.

Jawea: Something's wrong.

Lena: No.

Sally: Your hands are cold, Jawea.

Lena: No.

Jawea: There's no heat. My heart must have stopped.

Lena: No. Don't be silly.

(Jawea's gasping in panic, moves to door while Lena follows her)

Lena: You need rest, that's all.

(Jawea breaks away, running. Lena calls after her)

Lena: You'll get your strength back. Come in the morning. Please?

(Kat and Faye come racing on, nearly stumbling on Lena, grab her)

Kat: Lena! Come to the tavern, quick!

Faye: Brad's gone fucking crazy! He's taking our guys up the mountain again.

Kat: What did you say to him?

Lena: (Distracted) Nothing.

Kat: Don't tell me "nothing!"

Faye: What did they do on the mountain?

Lena: I don't know, I don't care; I need Jawea! Brad saw her, she pulled her knife, and he went out of his mind.

Kat: (Stunned, realizing) It's the Indian hate. Oh God.

Faye: But he kept saying "a little brown doe."

Kat: They could have destroyed a sacred place. I know something big came down. They're terrified.

Lena: I can't...

Faye: They'll all die, Lena. Please come!

Kat: Do it for Faye. She's pregnant, Lena.

Lena: What?

Kat: And Teddy just swore not to go up again, but they're still...

Lena: I can't stop Brad.

Faye: (To Kat) She's gonna do fuck-all. Let's get out of here.

Kat: You mean you won't!

Lena: I want him to get that bear.

(Lena's shivering. They stare at her)

Sally: Mommy...

Lena: (Moving to hold Sally) Look at her.

Sally: (Falling to sleep) Jawea's hurt, Mommy.

Lena: (Afraid) It's all right, baby.

Faye: Kat. Let's go.

(Kat's torn, wanting to help Lena; she reaches toward Sally)

Lena: Don't touch her! (Beat, both stunned) You don't believe.

Kat: (Shaken) You don't know what I believe.

(Kat wants to speak, but Faye's pulling her away. In distance, they hear– )

Hunters: Heeere we go!

(Kat and Faye turn like wooden sentinels, stand silent, while the hunters waving their new automatics, swagger past them with hollow bravado– )

Hunters: (Echoing off and far away) Go. Go. Go!

Sally: (Distant) Daddy? Daddy...!

___________________________

Reservation

Upstage, Jawea is visible in a spot, running wildly. Matu, wanting to send strength to Jawea, chanting woman-rite, breaks down, cursing Hoyatu–

Matu:

Run the run of your life, girl.

Run for the life of your people,

To the east, to the south... (Breaks, frantic)

What did you do, old man?! Hoyatu, get out of her way! She's no thanks to you! Thanks to you, I have no child. And you hate that I'm still down here, that there are still men who love me, old as I am. But you will not take Jawea from me! Braves have gone after her; they will find her, and she will be safe! Or I'll deny you ever lived, and curse you forever!

(Recovering chant)...to the west, to the north,

run with the winds, girl become woman...

Jawea: (Running, anguished\- ) Aaaauuuuh!

(Jawea flies forward thrusting her hands into Matu's fire. Matu yells; Jawea pulls her hands from fire, brings them to her cheeks, feels that they're still cold)

Jawea: Nooo...!

(Jawea crumbles, rolls away sobbing. Matu gathers Jawea into her arms, rocks. Jawea quiets, like a baby)

Matu: Thank God, thank God. Were you lost? What happened?

Jawea: (Simple) Doesn't matter. It's gone.

(Jawea lifts her hands to touch Matu's cheeks, who's stung by their cold)

Matu: Aah!

Jawea: They're cold. It's gone.

(Matu is terrified, but quickly denies, rubs Jawea's hands, and moves off)

Matu: It's just a chill. Now...pick up those reeds, and get cracking with the basket, before I womp you for scaring me.

Jawea: (Calm) Matu, it's no use; it's over.

Matu: (Anger) We'll discuss this later! Some people have work to do; they don't joy ride all over the mountain every chance they...

Jawea: (Drawing out her knife) You can't turn me back into an Anglo. I know what this means. It's the end of my path.

Matu: Put that knife away. I forbid you!

Jawea: Come, mother me now. I need your help.

Matu: Mothers don't help you die. (Pause) Don't give me that look. God decides when you're finished, not you.

Jawea: Would you rather I went outside?

Matu: (Breaks, emotion– ) What happened to you?!

(Jawea doesn't answer, but carefully wipes the blade of her knife)

Matu: I forbid you, Jawea!

Jawea: (Gently) You should have had children, Matu. You'd know you can't control them. When I showed up here I was no one, but when you let me join you, all of a sudden I was everyone. I saw my path; I got power, and now it's gone.

(Kneeling, Jawea handles the knife like a sacred implement)

Matu: (Quietly) Hoyatu was right. He said "Come away, our people are dead." But I sat still, till my womb was dry as his heart...till you came like a rainbow, and then I threw you away. I sent you to Sally.

Jawea: Sally didn't hurt me.

Matu: Your gift was for us.

Jawea: A dancing circle may not be closed. It's mine to share.

Matu: Not with the Others! They take and take, and give what? Annihilation.

Jawea: (Calm breaks- ) Not Sally! It was the hunters. They, aah...

(Seeing her memory fresh, Jawea doubles over, with a cry of being raped again)

Jawea: Ahhh!!

Matu: No. God, no.

(Matu now understands what happened. Jawea scrambles away, pressing the knife flat against her breast, glaring at Matu. Matu is swift, like handling a jumper on a hundredth-story ledge– )

Matu: Jawea, don't let them destroy you. Your pain can end. You believe in your gift. You know it's holy. God doesn't make mistakes, Jawea. You're meant to have it.

Jawea: (Throat thick with pain) No.

Matu: You don't think he knew this would happen? You have to trust. Ask to find your path again, and your power can return.

Jawea: No.

Matu: But you have to be strong, you have to believe, you...

(Matu stops, as she "sees" Hoyatu, and so do we. Jawea senses a vision)

Jawea: What?

Matu: (Dazed) You have to meet him.

Jawea: Who? What do you know?

Matu: (Denying) Not a damn thing. I just keep the fire, that's it.

Jawea: But someone knows.

Matu: (Fierce) I've gone soft! When God sends good, he should pack in the strength to let it go. So I quit!

Jawea: How can I get my power back!?

Matu: (Looks at her, sighs) You'd like to talk to God?

Jawea: (Scared) Sure I would.

Matu: Well, I can't arrange that. Hoyatu will have to do.

Jawea: Hoyatu – your man?

Matu: A hundred years ago.

Jawea: With his "power beyond understanding." You said he was lost.

Matu: (Gazing far off) Yes.

Jawea: But I can talk to him?

Matu: If you survive.

Jawea: Survive what?

Matu: Dress for cold...high on the mountain.

(Jawea dresses for climb; Matu accepts to guide Jawea's quest, and prepares her)

Matu: No one has seen Hoyatu. Last equinox, his fire flickered on the peak, so I know he's alive up there. He'd rather live in clouds than with people. You must climb to him. The path is slick – a misplaced foot, a rockslide, a storm; there are terrible places to fall. Ask for vision. Take nothing from the mountain; no roots or nuts or water, no matter your thirst. Ask only for sight. (Jawea nearly ready) When the air is thin, and you grow weak, you'll come where young braves pray. You'll see their chest skin on trees; when they return they're men. If a brave climbs higher he will never return, but you must climb higher, cross the tree line, into the range of the Blood White bear.

(Jawea reaches to buckle on her hunting knife. Matu stops her)

Matu: No. If you go as a hunter, Blood White will destroy you. Take no weapon, as a sign you will not harm the mountain. And leave your fear behind, for he can smell it. (She lets Jawea climb) When you sense the bear, don't be afraid, for your heart is clean. On the bare top, when you feel Blood White, call Hoyatu.

____________________________

Lena's Home

Lena holds Sally, asleep. Kat enters, troubled, with a small drawstring pouch.

Kat: Look what I brought Sally.

Lena: Get away, Kat.

Kat: It's pollen.

Lena: Get out of here!

Kat: Please. Sally needs Jawea; I'll take you there.

Lena: (Stunned beat) Why?

Kat: I have to.

Lena: How could she heal her with you there? You don't trust her.

Kat: You don't know me. This valley's so old no one knows who's who.

Lena: You've lost it, Kat.

Kat: Damn straight! I can't take any more! Now come.

Lena: Take what?

Kat: There's something going on. I keep seeing Mother, and...

Lena: Your mother's dead.

Kat: You're not from here, Lena, so there's no way to...

Lena: Your mother's dead, Kat.

Kat: Yes; she's gone to get my brother.

Lena: Now you are crazy.

Kat: Bundle Sally now!

Lena: You don't have a brother!

Kat: I do! (Like a broken dam, flowing– ) He died before I was born. At 16 my mother ran off. They found her with Indians. They made her come home, and married her to my father. But she'd had a baby boy there. She mourned him all her life.

Lena: (Beat) An Indian baby.

(Kat can't speak, opens pouch, takes pinch of pollen, throws it for Lena to see)

Kat: See? I've hated this all my life, but now, for my mother, I have to find Jawea.

_____________________________

Mountain

Hunters climbing, exhausted. Teddy straggling, looks back. He's fighting tears

Jimbo: (From offstage) Teddy!

(Teddy snaps to, hurries after hunters, who find their destroyed camp)

Brad: Is this it?

Jimbo: My god.

Teddy: What's left of our camp...

Jimbo: ...a tornado ripped through.

Teddy: Was it only one bear?

Brad: We've got blood debts here.

(Hunters silenced, remembering their terror, bend shakily retrieving the scattered pieces of their mighty hunt)

Teddy: There's my rifle!

Jimbo: Feels spooky up here.

Brad: Just don't get comfortable.

(The men load their weapons)

Jimbo: Comfortable? Not pissing likely.

Teddy: Lookit, there's our beer.

Jimbo: Jeezuz. they're all exploded.

Teddy: Break me out a fresh beer, Brad.

Brad: What beer? We're on the way.

Jimbo: Jeez, take a breather. I'm starving.

Teddy: Me too. You bring food, Jimbo?

Jimbo: Didn't you?

Teddy: What?

Brad: You gonna sit waiting on Bloody to come get you?

Jimbo: You mean we got nothing?

Brad: We gotta cross over.

Teddy: Nothing?!

(A sharp caw goes up)

Brad: Load up!

Jimbo: What do we have to prove? We're safe out of town.

Teddy: With no food? Not even water?

Brad: We gotta surprise him. Get 'em both.

Jimbo: Nobody's chasing us!

Teddy: This is crazy.

Brad: You can't feel it? Jawea's here.

Jimbo: Sit down a minute, Brad.

Teddy: I'm not scared of her. It's that damn bear.

Brad: You better be scared. She's here. Same way she drifted into that clearing like she was nothing but a doe. We're trapped. Don't you get it? We're hacked raw by this spook mountain. Every way we turn, it's grabbing us, it's heaving up out of cracks to choke off our life. Only thing we can do is slaughter that bear. Gotta take him while we've still got breath. That's the only thing! It's him or us. That bear's mocking us!

Jimbo: Brad.. Sit down.

Brad: You think I'm crazy? I've never been so clear. When I got home to Sally alive, and Lena so happy again, I thanked God for giving me another chance. We could fly! But then I turned...and saw my life die in the face of that squaw. What am I supposed to do? (Brad breaks down, sobbing freely) I'd never harm Lena...or Sally, God, little Sally, Christ help me. I'd kill that squaw to stop her telling Lena what happened to her on this mountain. But she's saving my child. Sally's alive because of her. How do I get out of that? What is she doing to me? Why? To take everything away?! How am I supposed to find my way back down.

Jimbo: Easy, Brad. Easy. It'll be all right.

Brad: You guys owe me. You owe me your lives. Twice over.

Jimbo: We know that, boy. We're with you. Right, Teddy?

Teddy: (Scared) Sure. Sure we are, Brad.

Brad: I gotta cross this line. I gotta feel who I am. I gotta take Blood White. Now!

(Hunched together, weapons ready, invasion style, Brad leads– they cross the line into Blood White's world. Sharp shift in sound. Spirit echo surrounds, etching natural sound, like intense detail of a peyote high. Each has his own response to spirit-touch)

Brad: (Whispering, excited) Look. At the branches. Against the sky. Each needle...

Jimbo: (Jerks his gun toward every place he sees something move) Watch out!

Brad: Each one breathing. Sparkling like fire.

(Teddy looks round, sucking loud breaths, as he hyperventilates from fear)

Teddy: I don't know, I don't know...

Brad: It's so beautiful...

(On Brad's oddly ecstatic moan, he climbs on; Jimbo jerks after him, while Teddy, disoriented, stumbles off another way. Swirling spirit sound: from here on characters flow through each other's space. Jawea appears climbing, near collapse. Jawea, Brad, Jimbo are all climbing, straining. Jimbo stops, looks behind)

Jimbo: (Realizing) Teddy's lost.

Brad: He's not lost. Keep going.

Jimbo: Wait...

Brad: For what – Teddy to find himself? (Stomps off, disappears)

Jimbo: That's not fair! Brad... Brad!

(Torn, Jimbo can't move, calls, scared– )

Jimbo: Teddy!

(Jimbo disappears in another direction. Gasping for strength, Jawea senses she is watched. The shadow of the bear sweeps by)

Jawea: Blood White? Is it you?

(Full of wonder, Jawea opens, like a standing tree, to meet the bear. Instead, Teddy stumbles on, disoriented, drops his rifle, flings himself down, burying his face)

Teddy: Auuuh.

(Jawea's head turns sharply. Seeing Teddy, with a fiery rage she reaches for her knife, remembers she left it, scoops up Teddy's rifle, flicks off its safety, aims at his head. But as she's squeezing the trigger, her head raises– )

Jawea: Blood White?

(Remembering she must have no weapon, Jawea drops rifle, leaves her kill, moves off after Blood White)

Teddy: Faye...

(He gets up, calm, picks up rifle, sets it butt to ground, looks up)

Teddy: Faye, I love you. And I'm sorry, so sorry.

(Then he bends his chest over rifle barrel, reaches for the trigger)

Jimbo: (Distant, off) Teddy?

(Teddy lifts his head, hearing Jimbo, decides to hurry, and bends again, ready to fire)

Jimbo: (Closer) Teddy!

Teddy: (Gives up on shooting himself, sits holding rifle) You smell me out?

Jimbo: (Appearing) What the hell you doing?

Teddy: Fucking with nature. Brad's gone crazy, right?

Jimbo: How do I know?

Teddy: Well you better watch him.

Jimbo: Let's go.

Teddy: Naw, I can't.

Jimbo: Come on

Teddy: Too scared. Keep seeing this dream I have. This gigantic bear rears, maw roars open, razor teeth, foaming red...and in goes Brad. (Beat) So you go ahead. You can do it. Follow the leader, huh Jimbo? Just like you took that squaw.

Jimbo: (Glares at Teddy, but silent, turns to leave) We owe Brad.

Teddy: You dumb fuck, how stupid are you? You know we're gonna die here!

Jimbo: (Stops, looks back) I don't whimper about it.

Teddy: Get out of here!

(Jimbo nods, moves away. Teddy watches, gripping his rifle. But then Jimbo stops; realizing what Teddy's up to, he turns to look at him)

Teddy: Go on. You'll catch me on your way back down.

Jimbo: Sure.

Teddy: Go on.

Jimbo: (Beat) We could get the bear, and then die.

Teddy: (Shrinks from Jimbo's look) What?

Jimbo: (Walks back, takes hold of Teddy's rifle) You know, when I woke in my bed, I was sure it never happened.

Teddy: (Choked) Did you ever do it before?

Jimbo: Do what?

Teddy: I've never even had anybody but Faye.

(Jimbo slides heavily to the ground. Pause. Then speaks quietly)

Jimbo: All's I know is...a situation...can get so intense, it just disconnects – like whatever happens has nothing to do with your life. But it does. Comes screaming back, takes everything you'd die to save – your wife, your home, your soul.

Teddy: You did it before?

Jimbo: Only heard about it. Circumstance like that, anybody could.

Teddy: Brad didn't!

Jimbo: (Suddenly angry) He didn't live through that night with the bear, going insane with fear! He just smacked into a tree and "bam," he was out, safe.

Teddy: And we leapt like a pack of hyenas. This'll kill Faye.

Jimbo: I gotta tell Kat, and I can't.

Teddy: Faye's not strong enough.

Jimbo: Kat'll know anyway.

Teddy: Hyenas.

Jimbo: (Quiet) No. There's no animal does what we did.

(Teddy looks, pounces, beats, strangles Jimbo, as though if he kills him, it'll go away)

Teddy: Why'd you let me? Why'd you go along!

(Jimbo does not defend himself. Crackling rush at them; Teddy swings rifle toward noise. It's Brad)

Brad: I saw him! (Brad turns, and runs off)

Teddy: You're crazy, Brad!

Jimbo: Be careful, Brad! (Runs after him)

Teddy: (Alone) You're all crazy. (Runs after)

(Jawea is on, sensing what's around her. Sound spare, top of the world)

Jawea: (Softly) Hoyatu.

(A shadow passes over stage, Hoyatu appears, then is gone. Jawea stumbles to spot where he was; he appears elsewhere. Blinded, she stumbles after, at her strength's end. She collapses; mist swirls, howls echo like spirits round unconscious Jawea)

__________________________

Reservation/Mountain

Kat and Lena cross, carrying Sally. Faye is behind them. All are winded

Lena: Matu's is the third house.

Kat: With the satellite dish? Ugh – mud's so thick.

Faye: Let me take Sally.

Kat: Not in your condition.

Faye: I'll do what I want; I want to hold her.

Lena: She's heavy.

(They stand, out of breath, passing Sally to Faye)

Faye: 'Fore they came hootin' off the mountain, I was scared to tell Teddy 'bout the baby. Cause how can we do it with no work? This whole year's a nightmare.

Kat: In which you got married.

Lena: Matu's light's on. See?

Faye: What will she know?

Kat: Everything.

Faye: I'm scared, Kat. Got a bad feeling.

Kat: No, it's just life. And hate.

Faye: He's never not said goodbye.

Kat: Hate can scare you, but as Mama says, it's a poor weak thing.

Faye: Since when did you listen to her?

Kat: Since she died.

Lena: (As the women move off) Careful, don't fall.

(Hunters dance crazily across)

Brad: Over there!

Teddy: You see the bear?

Jimbo: Get him!

Brad: (Leaping off again) Ahah!

Teddy: (Leaping another way) Wait!

Jimbo: Don't scatter. Don't scatter.

(Howling. Dark)

______________________________________

Hoyatu's Perch/Everywhere

Lights come up on Jawea bundled by a fire. Hoyatu sits smoking a pipe. She's waking

Jawea: Did you carry me? (No response) Hoyatu? (No response) I know that's who you are.

Hoyatu: (Like rusty gate, long unused) Quiet.

Jawea: You sound like a frog.

Hoyatu: Shut your flapping mouth!

(She shuts up, frightened, staring)

Hoyatu: The village is dead?

Jawea: (Shocked) What?

Hoyatu: Why did you dare climb?

Jawea: For me.

Hoyatu: Do you matter?

Jawea: I was good luck for the village. At my woman rites, heat came into my hands. Since, I've healed a hundred.

Hoyatu: Humh.

Jawea: But it's gone. My hands are cold.

(To show him, she cups her hands round his on the pipe. He grasps her shoulder roughly, peers into her eyes)

Hoyatu: Fool. You went among whites and they took your soul.

Jawea: You can see it?

Hoyatu: Waste.

Jawea: Please help me.

Hoyatu: Why? You'll do it again.

Jawea: No! (Then humble) Yes. Because of a child. She's dying.

Hoyatu: A white child. Nothing to do with me.

Jawea: Then what good are you?

Hoyatu: Do not dare! I have held this mountain against whites for 150 years. My powers have grown full as these clouds. And the mountain is ours. That is enough to do.

Jawea: That's not life.

Hoyatu: No, it's bliss.

Jawea: (Beat) The child's name is Sally.

Hoyatu: (Intense) Leave me!

(His psychic force throws Jawea like a leaf in a storm, but she lands, creeps back)

Hoyatu: Do not pretend strength. You lost everything.

Jawea: I'm young. I don't know how to keep my spirit safe when they take my body.

Hoyatu: You'll never be safe, crossing worlds.

Jawea: My way will cross all worlds. Has yours worked? Who's saving your people, Hoyatu? You're fading like mist.

Hoyatu: Devil!

Jawea: Sally won't die. I know you can see her.

(Hoyatu inhales, envisioning Sally. Jawea is thrilled)

Jawea: See the forest move in her? She's alive in it. Her life is good for both worlds.

Hoyatu: (Turns away, severe) It cannot be!

Jawea: Matu sent me.

Hoyatu: (Sharp pain, heartstruck) Matu...

(Matu looks cross the distance to Hoyatu, and he to her)

Hoyatu: She would not climb with me.

(Silence of understood sorrow between them)

Jawea: But she sent me. It's my path. If I regain my power, Sally can live.

Hoyatu: Or all can die. You, me – the mountain draws blood. The child dreamed of a battle that's coming. It's coming now.

Jawea: I claim the right of a healer, Hoyatu.

(Hoyatu grabs Jawea, pulls her to face him)

Hoyatu: You don't know what you ask!

Jawea: (Terrified, won't flinch) You've no choice. You've no one else. Teach me!

Hoyatu: (Angrily drops her; decides; then, barks like a warning-) Get cool fresh water.

(Jawea scrambles to carry out his instructions)

Kat: (Calling, off) Matu!

Hoyatu: Lift red hot rocks from the fire. Strip off your skins. Seek purely, and visions will come. When the child sees the battle, she wakes, but one will die.

(Jawea pours water on rocks; steam rises; she sits in steam, focused on visions; Hoyatu behind her, speaks in her ear).

Hoyatu: You are earth, nothing more. Steam will devour you. These base things are holy.

(Steamy stage, pinpoint light as focus darts, groups kaleidoscope. Hunters creep along)

Hoyatu: Face the heat...

Brad: Here's a clear track!

Jimbo: Look at the size of this mother!

Hoyatu: ...it smacks your lungs, blisters your eyes; its shock terrifies.

Lena: (Off) Matu! Jawea!

Hoyatu: Receive it, and watch.

Teddy: My god, fourteen inch paws!

Faye: (Off) Matu!

Brad: It's Blood White. Stay close, back to back.

Hoyatu: Hunters come, stalking the mountain..

(Shadows of hunters. They slink and dodge, while women carry Sally between them)

Jimbo: Look there!

Hoyatu: They rip their wealth from the womb of creation.

Brad: What do you see?

Jimbo: Indians!

Teddy: By the trees. Look!

Hoyatu: For these, to kill is to be.

Jimbo: Indians everywhere.

Teddy: Get that doe!

(Matu's chant. The hunters strike crazily, shooting. The women pound the ground)

Lena, Kat and Faye: (Calling) Matu!

(Matu stops chant, stares at her fire. Lena calls from outside)

Lena: Please, Matu. I need Jawea.

Matu: Jawea's gone.

Lena: Where?!

Matu: Where you can't hurt her.

Lena: Let me in, please. Sally's dying.

Matu: (Pause) Only you.

(Lena leaves Sally in Kat's arms, and moves in to Matu's fire)

Lena: Please let my friends in.

Matu: Do they bring back the power they stole?

Lena: What power? Jawea's? How could they steal it?

(Matu looks at Lena. Spot on Jawea)

Lena: Tell me!

Matu: You will curse your question forever.

Lena: (Frightened to hear) How did they steal from Jawea?

Matu: (Stone) Their men raped her. Your husband stood by.

Lena: (Still) No.

Kat: (Calling from outside) Lena? Let us in.

Lena: They want to know.

Matu: So tell them.

(Lena can't move)

Kat: Lena?

Matu: (Sees Lena paralyzed, grunts– ) Bring Sally to the fire.

(Kat and Faye bring Sally near. Kat sees Lena's face– )

Kat: You know. What did Matu tell you!

(Lena looks at Kat, but can't speak. Hunters link arms)

Faye: What did they do, Lena?

Kat: Tell us!

(Jawea rising, agitated, anticipating rape)

Jawea: Hoyatu...

Hoyatu: Don't move!

(Hunters circle, menacing. The women witness Jawea reliving rape)

Jawea: Awhhhh!

Faye: Stop. It's a lie!

Kat: (Warning) Jimbo...

Faye: Not Teddy!

Kat: No!

(Jawea erupts with roar, determined to kill)

Hoyatu: (To Jawea) Stop!

(But Jawea takes on Hoyatu's power, "strikes" Teddy, who's broken, falls down crevice)

Jawea: Awhhhh!

Teddy: Ahhhh!

Hoyatu: (Grabs, flings Jawea) Fool! You've lost your chance! A healer? Hah! You're nothing.

Jawea: Let me back in the steam!

Hoyatu: No! You harbor rage; their evil is in you. If you have power, you'll kill.

Jawea: No! I'll do what you say. I can stop.

Hoyatu: Can you?

Jawea: I didn't kill him; I only tried. Please, I'll sit quiet.

(Resumes her steam seat. Men huddled in alarm, where Teddy's fallen)

Kat: They're lost; the mountain will take them.

Faye: No! Teddy couldn't do this.

Kat: Any other man, you'd believe it.

Faye: (Runs away) Nooo!

Hoyatu: To regain your power, you must absorb these men. Accept them! Free your spirit! You cannot be choked with hate.

Jimbo: Teddy, climb out of there!

Teddy: My leg's smashed!

Brad: Quiet! The bear's near.

Teddy: My bone, it's sticking...Ahh!

Brad: (Reaching down) Take my hand.

Teddy: I can't!

Jimbo: Try!

Teddy: Just leave me here!

Brad: For the bear to eat?

Teddy: You'd like that.

Jimbo: You whining turd.

(Behind Jawea, Hoyatu stands, becoming Blood White)

Jawea: (Feeling him transform) Hoyatu, what's happening to you?

Hoyatu: Clouds drift through my bones.

Brad: Lift him.

Teddy: Leave me! And I won't have to tell Faye.

Brad: Lift!

Teddy: (Pain of the lifting) Aaaah!

Jawea: Hoyatu, you're changing.

Hoyatu: (Stands in shadows as Blood White. Amplified whisper) Be still or you bring danger! I will fight until they see what is hidden. Call the child's spirit to join you. She must stand in her dream.

Jawea: (Into the wind) Sally...come!

(Jawea's call wakes Sally. She lifts herself, happily– )

Sally: Mommy, I see light.

Lena: No...

(Lena tries to restrain Sally, but she's rising to her feet)

Lena: Don't go.

Sally: It's so bright. My daddy's there.

(The hunters, with Teddy propped between them, stand cowering)

Teddy: (Gasping) I see Blood White.

Jimbo: Our Father who art in heaven..

Brad: Face him. Just face him.

Sally: I'm not afraid.

(Jawea sees the hunters raise their guns, even Teddy, as he buckles to the ground. Terrified, they chamber their rounds, ready to attack)

Jawea: Blood White, they'll kill you!

Jimbo: That's no bear.

Jawea: I can't stay still.

Brad: That's him!

Sally: I want to see.

Jawea: Hoyatu, I'm coming!

Hoyatu: Do not move! No matter what you see.

Jimbo: Something's not right.

Hoyatu: To regain yourself, you must accept what is.

Brad: That's Blood White. Kill him!

Jawea: No!

Hoyatu: If you fight, all will die. But if you don't, and if he gives his life...

Jawea: (Defiant) Aaah...! (But she stops short as she hears– )

Sally: Jawea...?

Jawea: Sally? (Joy; her sight clears) Come, I can see now. I see all of time.

(Blood White turns to attack hunters. Jawea sees as though floating above it. Brad fires the first shot. Blood White spins as he's hit, seems stunned, then rises with blood-curdling roar. The hunters are terrified, but try to regroup)

Teddy: Jesus, Brad!

Brad: He's hit. Don't panic. We've got him.

(Blood White drops to charge Brad. Jimbo steps between, is hit full force by Blood White. Jimbo screams, his arm swings up bent, then dangles loose)

Jimbo: Ahh!

Jawea: Sally, your dream has come to life. You must see it. Come to me now.

(Matu holds Lena, because bundle Lena holds is no longer Sally. Sally is gliding to Jawea. Jawea reaches for Sally's hand; they join, watching the battle. Blood White charges Brad. Wooden flute, for the spirit journey beginning. Brad is hit, sprawls)

Brad: Jawea's here. She's got us.

(Jimbo goes for his pistol; Teddy tries to get off a shot. Blood White and Brad locked in wrestling, ferocious)

Sally: Daddy! It's my daddy and the bear.

Jawea: No. It's not the bear.

Sally: Stop them, Jawea!

Jawea: I can't.

Sally: My daddy will die!

Jawea: You stop them.

(Brad is dangerously mauled. Bleeding, he staggers back)

Sally: (Stepping out, calling) Daddy?

(Sally walks straight to Blood White, is taken up in his forearms, lifted. She clings to the bear, cub fashion. Brad draws pistol, dizzy from wound, can't believe his eyes– )

Brad: Sally...?

Sally: Don't shoot, Daddy.

(Jimbo and Teddy are cocking their weapons)

Brad: (Horrified, choked, staggering) Sally, no...

Sally: Don't shoot.

(Brad drops his weapon, collapses to his knees)

Brad: (Hoarsely, to the others) Don't shoot.

(All still. Sally slides out of Blood White's hold, who snorts, sets her down, brushes her off like a troublesome cub; she steps toward Brad. Brad transfixed, watching her. As soon as Sally's clear, Jimbo and Teddy fire. Blood White staggers)

Jawea: Hoyatu, no!

Brad: Don't shoot!

(Sally glides toward Brad's arms, but then slips aside to Jawea, and Brad closes his arms on nothing. Then Brad turns and staggers forward, offering himself to Blood White)

Jimbo: Brad...my God!

Teddy: He's mad.

(Blood White roars with anger of his wounds, enfolds Brad to crush him. Jimbo and Teddy shoot many times; Blood White jerks, spins, and falls on Brad. Blood White is dead. Sally is gone. Jawea's arms uplift. She has stood her test)

Jawea: (Moved) Sally saw, and I still stand, Hoy – a – tu...!

(Jimbo and Teddy, bloodied, stagger to Blood White, roll him. Beneath, Brad is crushed, barely breathing)

Teddy: Brad! Can you hear me?

Jimbo: (Sobs, reaching for Brad) Why did you stop us?

Brad: (Growls like cornered animal) Don't touch me!

Jimbo: We'll take you home.

Brad: You've got your bear. Take it.

Teddy: Brad's finished, Jimbo.

Jimbo: We can't leave you.

(Brad gropes for, pulls, cocks his pistol at Jimbo)

Brad: Take your bear! Go!

(Jimbo and Teddy, severely wounded, strain to hoist Blood White's carcass, and go. Brad, near death, drags to Jawea, who, with uplifted arms and face, is softly chanting)

Brad: (Mouth open, no sound but air) Aaaaa...

(Jawea does not hear him, and he cannot speak, so he embraces her feet)

Brad: (Soft cry) Aaaaa...

(Jawea looks down, then touches Brad's head. He shakes, weeping, then is still)

____________________________

Tavern

Western music, but dissonant. Women huddled, drinking; Faye drunk, reaching for more.

Dove: You don't want more. It's bad for the baby.

Faye: Give me! I want to die quick.

Kat: (Dark) Much too simple.

Dove: Stop her, Kat.

Kat: Faye, stop – you gotta help me here. We have to figure how this could happen, what sick depravity the mountain drew out of them.

Faye: I don't want to know. And if I do live, Teddy will never see his baby.

Kat: (Raises head at distant sound) What's that?

Dove: What.

Kat: Some kind of...cry.

Dove: (Looks out) Oh my god.

Kat: What.

Dove: Coming down... It's the bear.

Faye: (Groggily) Into town?

Kat: Is it white?

Dove: No it's all...

Kat: (Coming to look) ...bloody.

Faye: (Groaning, sick, holding her belly) Oh god.

Dove: He's still creeping, but he's...

Kat: (Cries out) Aah!

Faye: (Coming to look) What.

Dove: He collapsed, and he's...

Kat: It's not the bear.

Faye: It's them.

(Kat grabs Faye. Dove holds her, too; the three women are welded)

Dove: Jeez! They're just a mass of...

Kat: Can't they move?

Dove: Do something!

Faye: (Trying to twist away) No.

(Jimbo and Teddy inch on stage on their bellies, Teddy clinging, so Jimbo's under, dragging most weight. They make a bloody pile)

Dove: (Frozen) Help them.

(Kat just stares. Faye won't look, has her face buried on Kat)

Dove: They're your men.

Kat: Yeah...

Dove: They're alive.

Jimbo: (Gasping) Kat...

Dove: Would you rather they weren't?

Kat: (Forcing through her nausea) Faye. You've gotta look.

Faye: No.

(Lena approaches, carrying limp Sally [dummy]. She looks calmly at men. She's crazed)

Lena: Where's Brad?

Jimbo: (Gasping) Lena, he was bad. Gone.

Teddy: (First croak) He took his pistol, and...

Dove: Sit down, Lena.

Lena: (Walks off) Sally'll take me there. She knows the way.

Dove: Sally's dead, Lena; lay her down!

Lena: No, Sally's on the mountain. She's gone hunting with her daddy.

Dove: You can't climb. Wait.

(But Lena disappears. No one has moved)

Teddy: Faye...

Jimbo: The mountain let us live.

Kat: Yeah.

(Faye just stares at Teddy, won't move)

Jimbo: I don't know why.

Teddy: Faye...

Kat: Take him home, Faye. (Pause) What else you gonna do?

(Faye silent, looks at Kat)

____________________________

Hoyatu's Perch

Jawea speaking to air

Jawea: I didn't want you to die.

Hoyatu: (Unseen) Then you shouldn't have come.

(Hoyatu appears behind Jawea. She sees him as though he's floating in front of her)

Jawea: Hoyatu. Why did you die?

Hoyatu: I slipped.

Jawea: Don't make fun of me!

Hoyatu: Death is nothing. A sleight of hand, maybe, or of shape. The hunters won't hunt again.

Jawea: But I didn't want you to...

Hoyatu: I'm speaking here! And I rule. You're like a sapling on a burned out slope; starving deer will devour you. No one's ready for this "sharing" of yours. In spite of that, I saved you.

Jawea: But didn't I save...?

Hoyatu: You're insufferable! But you show promise, (Distaste) so you will take my place.

Jawea: And dry up on this mountain? No!

(Hoyatu's leaving)

Jawea: Take your place as what?

Hoyatu: Whatever you will.

Jawea: I did what you said, and look what happened.

Hoyatu: You learned nothing? Be a light to your people.

Jawea: But my light must spread to the Others.

Hoyatu: (Exasperated, roars) I'm talking! (Calm) The hunters think they won. Good for them. It was time for me to go. The mountain can no longer be held by a hermit bear. But Blood White lives. They killed nothing. And none can survive alone. So. You have your power. Show them. (Backs away, is gone)

Jawea: What power? What about Sally?! Hoyatu!

(Jawea is alone. She takes it in, begins to sense life in the air around her, feels life flowing into and beyond her hands; stretches them out and upward– )

Jawea: Sally... Come. It's time.

(Jawea above/behind where Brad is lying as part of forest floor, and we hear– )

Lena: (Off) Brad... Brad?

(Lena drags on exhausted, with lifeless Sally [dummy])

Lena: Here you are. I knew she'd find you.

(Lena drops to ground, lays Sally against Brad, then, dissatisfied with how dead they look, she props Brad against herself, so Sally, now real, lies across him)

Lena: Sally showed me the way to climb.

Brad: (Hoarse, choking breath) Lena...

Lena: Shhh, don't speak.

Brad: Lena...

Lena: (Breathing deep) Oh, the air's clear up here. So beautiful.

Brad: ...Sally came to me with Blood White.

Lena: They said you went straight at the bear and let him crush you.

Brad: Sally was healed, Lena, and it was so bright.

Lena: They said you were dead.

Brad: How could I be? Blood White's not a bear. He's just an old man walking down the mountain...who let me see Jawea.

(Lena smiles, holds Brad, rocking, hums, while Matu sees Hoyatu moving toward her, and opens her arms for him)

Sally: (Waking) Daddy...

Lena: I told you we'd find him.

Sally: Are you home from hunting?

Brad: Oh yes.

Sally: Then I'll be Jawea. My warm hands touch you.

(She lifts her hands to Brad's face. Wood flute. Jawea's arms spread above them. Patterned light of dawn reveals, behind, the others making a human tableau, like dense forest, cradling the wounded – while Matu reaches for Hoyatu, as he joins them)

Matu:

In the dark crushing channel of birth

who knows if he can survive the pain

and who can imagine how dazzling the light

when it's done. Look to your young.

THE END

Karen Sunde, a playwright and screenwriter, lives in New York.

ASTERISKS in Play List below indicate published plays available for purchase at: http://www.broadwayplaypub.com * http://www.dramaticpublishing.com **

PLUS MARKS (+) indicate ebooks available free online.

For descriptions of all works, see http://www.karensunde.com. Some screenplays are at http://www.howardshulman.com

PLAYS BY KAREN SUNDE

LIBERTY+

BALLOON *

DARK LADY **

TO MOSCOW **

SWEET LAND OF FIRE+

HAITI: A DREAM (in Facing Forward) *

NATIVE LAND+

OH WILD WEST WIND (in Rowing to America) **

ANTON, HIMSELF+

MASHA, TOO+

ANTON, HIMSELF: First & Last+

PLEASE GOD, NO WEDDING OR SHOOTING AT THE END+

IN A KINGDOM BY THE SEA (in Plays by Karen Sunde) *

HOW HIS BRIDE CAME TO ABRAHAM *

TRUTH TAKES A HOLIDAY (in Plays by Karen Sunde) *

GENTLEMAN JOHNNY

ME & JOAN (of Arc)+

WHEN REAL LIFE BEGINS+

TRACKING BLOOD WHITE+

DEBORAH: THE ADVENTURES OF A SOLDIER

2020 SEXCARE

THE FASTEST WOMAN ALIVE **

KABUKI OTHELLO **

KABUKI MACBETH+

KABUKI KING RICHARD+

ACHILLES+

KABUKI LADY MACBETH **

QUASIMODO (a musical)

SPA (an opera)

THE SOUND OF SAND

SCREENPLAYS BY KAREN SUNDE

UNDERCOVER PATRIOT

COUNTDOWN

OVER THE RAINBOW

BOULE DE SUIF

SECRET SHIP

HOW HIS BRIDE CAME TO ABRAHAM

IN A KINGDOM BY THE SEA

THE LINE

PARALLEL LOVES

DREAM HOUSE

FINAL QUEST: THE MOUNTAIN OF THE GODS

TRIPPING TAMMY

THE FASTEST WOMAN ALIVE

LOVE HITS EARTH (& Other Disasters)

CHICKS GOTTA SWIM

NEXT!

~~~~~~~~
