ACT II
SCENE II
Eli Gets Up Early
(Early morning at bunkhouse. Eli gets up early to go out to the orchard
to check on the money. Eli sitting at the table with his coffee, gets up and
starts singing a little ditty about “Feeling so Ire” places his breakfast
dish, cup and the frying pan into the sink and heads toward the door and
grabs Rueben’s hat and places it on his head by mistake. Hat music plays.
Eli looks puzzled and abruptly takes the hat off his head at the same time.
Hat music stops abruptly.)
ELI
What in Jah’s name was dat? Oh, dat's Rueben’s hat…
(Beat)
No wonder he so strange!
(Eli hangs Rueben’s hat on the hanger but the hat falls off the hanger as
Eli grabs his own hat and walks out the back door. He doesn’t notice
Rueben’s hat fall. Jonah and Rueben walk onto the stage. They have just
gotten up and look sleepy)
RUEBEN
Hmmm…looks like Eli already took off dis morning. Dat be early for Eli.
JONAH
Didn’t he take time to eat?
RUEBEN
Ya, he took the time to eat, but he left his dirty dishes in the sink.
JONAH
Sheesh, he could have made sometin’ for us, too! Sometime, dat Eli only tinks
of hissef.
(starts making coffee)
RUEBEN
Why’s my hat on da floor?
(picks it up and hangs it back on the hanger).
Maybe de wind blew it down when Eli left.
JONAH
You want some coffee and toast?
RUEBEN
Sure, tanks
(Scene ends with “What’s Inna Hat” instrumental or live drummers,
continues through the scene change and intermission.)
INTERMISSION
Monday, December 13, 2010
We quickly find we are in for more than we bargained for!
The Members Only reception went by quite uneventful. The Audition weekend was just the opposite! We found a handful of performers who were just right for certain parts, but we still had seven other actors to find, and we were on our own! We set up a schedule with the theater, so we could have the space to ourselves to hold our own auditions and rehearsals. I found myself wearing many “Hats,” during the weeks leading up to our performance. Janet was nowhere to be found for the first month or so, and started coming around to help with some of the props and stage settings. She started having some physical ailments, which I figured were due to stress. Finally she was diagnosed with shingles a few weeks before the show, and although she was in much pain, she continued to come and paint signs and props for the performance.
During one of our many rehearsals I noticed one of the actresses had quite a bit of knowledge in theater, and I approached her after the rehearsal and asked her if she would like to be our director. She asked for some time to think about it, and called me later that night. “I had to talk to my friend before making any decisions,” she said. “I will direct the show, but I wont be able to play both parts in the performance and direct.” Was her final answer! I thought, ok we have a director, but now we need to find another “Anna!”
During one of our many rehearsals I noticed one of the actresses had quite a bit of knowledge in theater, and I approached her after the rehearsal and asked her if she would like to be our director. She asked for some time to think about it, and called me later that night. “I had to talk to my friend before making any decisions,” she said. “I will direct the show, but I wont be able to play both parts in the performance and direct.” Was her final answer! I thought, ok we have a director, but now we need to find another “Anna!”
Theatrical shock/ Help!
After the Member’s Only, reception, we spoke to the board member assigned to help us (whom we thought would be our director) and he stated that he would be busy with his own productions, and that we should either try and find a director or, “Direct the performance yourselves.” There it was, the part I had anticipated! I knew it was coming, I could feel it in my bones. Janet on the other hand was completely at a loss for words, and just looked at me dumbfounded. I think it took at least five to ten minutes for the redness to subside from her face and another fifteen minutes for her to be able to speak. When she did muster up some words they came out as just words, nothing I could make any sense out of. She looked at me and finally sputtered out, “But I have plans for this summer, I can’t direct this!” I told her not to worry, that I had seen this coming and would figure it out. I couldn’t let on that I was just as shocked as she was. I had to let her believe I had this all under control, even though I was feeling as though everything was spinning out of control. As we left the theater that night, for the first time in my life I felt like a walking contradiction. It was not a comfortable position to be in, but I somehow maintained my sense of balance and tried to keep my demeanor light and carefree, all while struggling with many conflicting thoughts.
Act II Scene 1/ Hidden Treasure
ACT II
SCENE I
Hidden Treasure
(Scene takes place in apple orchard. Jonah and Rueben are emptying their
apple picking bags into wooden crates. Eli is continuing to pick apples to
fill his bag. Rueben and Jonah go back to picking apples. Rueben's hat is
hanging from a chin strap around his neck. He puts his hat on his head
and hat music plays. After he puts it on, he turns and faces the audience
slowly with a dazed look as he begins to experience Jonah’s thoughts and
feelings since Jonah wore it the night before. They are joined by Caleb,
Farmer Fred's son, who enters from offstage and calls out his first line
from a distance. As he approaches the workers and calls out, volume of
hat music is faded out.)
CALEB
Hey, Don't bruise those apples!
ELI
Oh, mon, as if we don’t have enough! Now we havta put up wid you?
CALEB
Ahh, you love it here! I mean, look at you Eli! You said you weren’t coming
back last year, but at the last minute you realized how much you missed us and
came running back, didn’t you?
ELI
(laughs)
Ah nah mi! Ya know I’d be home if I could!
CALEB
What happened with the business you were going to start?
ELI
Oh, dat be a long story. I’ll tell you about it latter.
CALEB
What's the matter with Rueben? Hey, Rueben! Aren’t you happy to see me?
REUBEN
(Hat music stops and Rueben snaps out of a dazed look.)
What...?
CALEB
Ah never mind, he must be back in Jamaica too! So let’s get to work. What does
the old man want you to do?
ELI
Ahhh, mi tink he say ta pick sum of dem apples. Dis is de apple orchard, ain’t it,
boy?
CALEB
Sheesh, I mean where did he tell you to start picking?
ELI
Wherever de apples are, mon!
(laughs heartily)
CALEB
I see you’re full of it today! I bet I can get them apples down off
those trees quicker than you can!
(Points to a group of apples in the tree.)
ELI
You offerin’ ta work? Dis I gotta see, mon!
(laughs again)
CALEB
Stand back and let me show you how a man gets this job done. Watch and be
amazed.
(Caleb picks up a couple apples from the ground and tosses an
apple at the tree and misses. Eli doubles over laughing)
ELI
Ya, that's some way o'showin' me how a man does the job, boy!
(beat)
Watch this! I’ll show you how it’s done…
(Tosses an apple and knocks some down. This can be acted out or use
props to actually make apples drop.)
CALEB
Ahhh, beginner’s luck! I was just getting warmed up!
(Eli and Caleb continue a friendly competition, while Jonah and Reuben
pick fruit Reuben picks somewhat nervously, occasionally looking up
from his job and shaking his head. Although Jonah is also shaking his
head at Eli and Caleb, he sometimes looks up and chuckles.)
FARMER FRED
(offstage)
WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!!!!
(Walks onto the stage)
CALEB
We’re just trying to have some fun, Dad...
FRED
DO I PAY YOU TO HAVE FUN? YOUR JUST DESTROYING THE FRUIT!
You know, I just put all that new stuff in the bunkhouse, even though we may end
up jobless next year, and here you are, my so-called helpers, destroying what
we’ve worked so hard for!
CALEB
Lighten up, Dad, it was just a joke...
FRED
I don’t give a damn! This isn't a joke, Caleb! This is our livelihood. You know
how hard running an orchard is! You, of all people!! I expect a whole lot more
from you than this! And YOU!
(points to Eli)
I didn’t have to take YOU back this year, on such a short notice, but I did! You
oughta be bustin’ your butt around here! For the next 4 months, I own you! And
when I say jump, you say how high, how fast, and say “Yes sir,” when you do it!
That is if you don’t want to get a one-way ticket back to Jamaica, where you
belong!!
ELI
YAH NAH OWN MI, FRED!
(Eli says “Farmer Fred” derisively).
AND YAH RIGHT! I DO BELONG IN JAMAICA, AN DAT’S WHERE I’LL
BE STAYIN’ NEXT YEAR!!
(Eli storms off stage. Fred starts after him, angry. Caleb stops his father by
stepping in front of him and putting up his arms)
CALEB
Dad! Stop!
FRED
(throws his hands up and back down while speaking)
Get out of my way!
CALEB
Dad...c’mon, have some respect.
FRED
(says sarcatically)
Respect? I’m docking his pay for today!
(beat)
Where's the respect I deserve? I'm not getting that from anyone around here
and what are you doing? Sticking up for them? Don't give me any of that
bleeding heart crap Caleb. You, of all people!
CALEB
What do you mean, me of all people? What's that supposed to mean?
FRED
I mean, forget about respecting the workers. You need to demand respect in order
to get it. That's what I'm talking about!
(intro to song starts)
You need to show the workers who's boss around here and how to get the job
done, unless you want to be picking all those apples yourself!! Hah! And I’d like
to see that! YOU know all the work that has to be done around here, and yet you
take precious time to GOOF off and destroy CROPS! You KNOW how hard I
have to work to grow these apples and to take care of this farm! This farm might
be yours someday, if you’d learn how to get the crops picked!!
(Breaks into “A Greater Burden”)
A GREATER BURDEN
(Farmer Fred Sings)
WHY DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND?
I WOULD GIVE YOU THE SUN AND MOON
EVEN THOUGH, I'M JUST ONE MAN
I WORK HARD FOR NO PAY, BUT I'M WORKING JUST FOR YOU
SWEAT AND TEARS PAY THE BILLS
WHEN THE MORTGAGE IS DUE
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
I PRUNE THE TREES, I PLANT THE SEEDS,
I MOW THE LAWN AND I PULL THE WEEDS
I FEED AND WATER THEN I WATCH THE CROPS GROW
AND PRAY EACH NIGHT WE REAP WHAT WE SOW
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
(BREAK, Fred picks up apples, shakes his head as he looks at them)
IN A FEW YEARS IT COULD ALL GO AWAY
OUR LAND AND THE LIFE THAT WE LEAD TODAY
I'M AFRAID FOR OUR FARMS AND I’M FURIOUS TOO
THE THINGS THAT I WORK SO HARD FOR
COULD BE TAKEN FROM YOU
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
OHHH….A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE SON
CALEB
I don't want to follow in your footsteps if it means yelling at everybody all the
time. And I don't care how you justify the way you act, I think you need to give
respect to get it.
(Caleb storms off stage. Jonah and Rueben are standing frozen, shocked,
staring at Fred. Fred turns and looks at them)
FRED
(speaks sarcastically)
Well, what are you doing? Standing there staring? Do you think that maybe we
could pick some apples SOMETIME TODAY!!??
(Rueben and Jonah start picking apples quickly and nervously. Somehow
Jonah’s bag comes undone, and he loses a bunch of apples to the ground.)
I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS! Why can’t I get competent help around here??!!
(Fred storms offstage in the opposite direction of Caleb. Rueben and
Jonah are alone as they continue to pick up apples onstage,
lighting dims. When the lighting dims, Jonah and Rueben exit stage. Eli
walks onto the stage alone from the other direction. Eli walks onto the
stage and over to a tree, he is obviously agitated, shaking his head.
He picks an apple and rubs it on his shirt as he sits under an old apple tree
with a rotten hole in the base. Out of the corner of his eye he sees
something in the hole of the tree.)
ELI
What is dis?
(He reaches in slowly and pulls out an old rusty tin and brushes off the
cobwebs, He shakes it, and he hears something in it! He then pries off the
lid. He looks in and he views some very old coins. He smiles a big grin.
Eli speaks in an excited tone of voice)
Ee-eee! Lot’s o’money! It look like ole money, mon!
Dere is silver and dere is gold! Dis would be jus what I need ta start mi bizz-ness
up again in Jamaica! Payback fe listenin’ ta Fred go on, dat’s what dis is! I could
lef dis place right now and start mi bizz-ness back home in Jamaica!
(Eli holds onto the tin of money and gets quite dramatic while
singing, holding the tin of money up over his head on the chorus line of
“UP UP”)
AINT NO TURNING BACK
(Eli Sings)
I AIN’T GOT NO FRIEND IN A HIGH SOCIETY
I GOTTA BUILD MY HOPES AND DREAM
JUST TO REACH MY DESTINY
CUZ WHAT IS TO BE MUST BE
IN A DIS HERE REVOLUTIONARY
I GOT TO DO WHAT A MAN GOT TO DO
TO REACH MY OWN DESTINY
IN A DIS HERE REVOLUTIONARY
UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
WE COMIN UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
WHEN I LOOK AROUND IN THE WORLD TODAY
I SEE DE FRUSTRATION OF SO MANY PEOPLE
TO VOICE DERE OPINION
IT HAVTA CAUSE A DEMONSTRATION
NOBODY WANT TO TAKE DE BLAME
AND IT’S A TRUE REALISTIC SHAME
SO AS DE KING MARTIN LUTHER WOULD SAY
I HAVE A DREAM UNTIL DIS DAY YEAH
UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
WE COMIN UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
SOMETIMES WHEN I SIT DOWN
I JUST CAN’T SETTLE DOWN
MY MIND IS SO CONFUSED
I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO
MY HOPES IS ALMOST GONE
I STILL MUST CARRY ON
I GOT TO DO WHAT I GOT TO DO
IN A DIS SOCIETY
I GOT TO STAND UP FOR OUR RIGHTS
I GOT TO STAND UP FOR SOME RIGHTS
UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
WE COMIN UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
I AIN’T GOT NO FRIEND IN A HIGH SOCIETY
I GOT BUILD MY HOPES AND DREAM
JUST TO REACH MY DESTINY
CUZ WHAT IS TO BE MUST BE
IN A DIS HERE REVOLUTIONARY
I GOT TO DO WHAT A MAN GOT TO DO
TO REACH MY OWN DESTINY
IN A DIS HERE REVOLUTIONARY
(Eli walks back over to the tree and sits down beside it holding the tin)
But what if Fred put dis here? If I take it now, there will too much time for Fred to
notice it gone. If l leave now he'll get suspicious and know who took it. Maybe I
better stick around ta de end o’de season and see if it's still dere? Then I can take
it wid mi when I go.
(Eli looks into the open tin)
I’ll see you later, my friend, when it's time to be leavin’.
(He closes it, looks around to make sure no one is looking, puts it back
where he found it, and covers the hole over with some leaves. He stares at
the spot where it lies until the music ends lights fade just before the music
ends. Some intense drum beats during scene change.)
SCENE I
Hidden Treasure
(Scene takes place in apple orchard. Jonah and Rueben are emptying their
apple picking bags into wooden crates. Eli is continuing to pick apples to
fill his bag. Rueben and Jonah go back to picking apples. Rueben's hat is
hanging from a chin strap around his neck. He puts his hat on his head
and hat music plays. After he puts it on, he turns and faces the audience
slowly with a dazed look as he begins to experience Jonah’s thoughts and
feelings since Jonah wore it the night before. They are joined by Caleb,
Farmer Fred's son, who enters from offstage and calls out his first line
from a distance. As he approaches the workers and calls out, volume of
hat music is faded out.)
CALEB
Hey, Don't bruise those apples!
ELI
Oh, mon, as if we don’t have enough! Now we havta put up wid you?
CALEB
Ahh, you love it here! I mean, look at you Eli! You said you weren’t coming
back last year, but at the last minute you realized how much you missed us and
came running back, didn’t you?
ELI
(laughs)
Ah nah mi! Ya know I’d be home if I could!
CALEB
What happened with the business you were going to start?
ELI
Oh, dat be a long story. I’ll tell you about it latter.
CALEB
What's the matter with Rueben? Hey, Rueben! Aren’t you happy to see me?
REUBEN
(Hat music stops and Rueben snaps out of a dazed look.)
What...?
CALEB
Ah never mind, he must be back in Jamaica too! So let’s get to work. What does
the old man want you to do?
ELI
Ahhh, mi tink he say ta pick sum of dem apples. Dis is de apple orchard, ain’t it,
boy?
CALEB
Sheesh, I mean where did he tell you to start picking?
ELI
Wherever de apples are, mon!
(laughs heartily)
CALEB
I see you’re full of it today! I bet I can get them apples down off
those trees quicker than you can!
(Points to a group of apples in the tree.)
ELI
You offerin’ ta work? Dis I gotta see, mon!
(laughs again)
CALEB
Stand back and let me show you how a man gets this job done. Watch and be
amazed.
(Caleb picks up a couple apples from the ground and tosses an
apple at the tree and misses. Eli doubles over laughing)
ELI
Ya, that's some way o'showin' me how a man does the job, boy!
(beat)
Watch this! I’ll show you how it’s done…
(Tosses an apple and knocks some down. This can be acted out or use
props to actually make apples drop.)
CALEB
Ahhh, beginner’s luck! I was just getting warmed up!
(Eli and Caleb continue a friendly competition, while Jonah and Reuben
pick fruit Reuben picks somewhat nervously, occasionally looking up
from his job and shaking his head. Although Jonah is also shaking his
head at Eli and Caleb, he sometimes looks up and chuckles.)
FARMER FRED
(offstage)
WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!!!!
(Walks onto the stage)
CALEB
We’re just trying to have some fun, Dad...
FRED
DO I PAY YOU TO HAVE FUN? YOUR JUST DESTROYING THE FRUIT!
You know, I just put all that new stuff in the bunkhouse, even though we may end
up jobless next year, and here you are, my so-called helpers, destroying what
we’ve worked so hard for!
CALEB
Lighten up, Dad, it was just a joke...
FRED
I don’t give a damn! This isn't a joke, Caleb! This is our livelihood. You know
how hard running an orchard is! You, of all people!! I expect a whole lot more
from you than this! And YOU!
(points to Eli)
I didn’t have to take YOU back this year, on such a short notice, but I did! You
oughta be bustin’ your butt around here! For the next 4 months, I own you! And
when I say jump, you say how high, how fast, and say “Yes sir,” when you do it!
That is if you don’t want to get a one-way ticket back to Jamaica, where you
belong!!
ELI
YAH NAH OWN MI, FRED!
(Eli says “Farmer Fred” derisively).
AND YAH RIGHT! I DO BELONG IN JAMAICA, AN DAT’S WHERE I’LL
BE STAYIN’ NEXT YEAR!!
(Eli storms off stage. Fred starts after him, angry. Caleb stops his father by
stepping in front of him and putting up his arms)
CALEB
Dad! Stop!
FRED
(throws his hands up and back down while speaking)
Get out of my way!
CALEB
Dad...c’mon, have some respect.
FRED
(says sarcatically)
Respect? I’m docking his pay for today!
(beat)
Where's the respect I deserve? I'm not getting that from anyone around here
and what are you doing? Sticking up for them? Don't give me any of that
bleeding heart crap Caleb. You, of all people!
CALEB
What do you mean, me of all people? What's that supposed to mean?
FRED
I mean, forget about respecting the workers. You need to demand respect in order
to get it. That's what I'm talking about!
(intro to song starts)
You need to show the workers who's boss around here and how to get the job
done, unless you want to be picking all those apples yourself!! Hah! And I’d like
to see that! YOU know all the work that has to be done around here, and yet you
take precious time to GOOF off and destroy CROPS! You KNOW how hard I
have to work to grow these apples and to take care of this farm! This farm might
be yours someday, if you’d learn how to get the crops picked!!
(Breaks into “A Greater Burden”)
A GREATER BURDEN
(Farmer Fred Sings)
WHY DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND?
I WOULD GIVE YOU THE SUN AND MOON
EVEN THOUGH, I'M JUST ONE MAN
I WORK HARD FOR NO PAY, BUT I'M WORKING JUST FOR YOU
SWEAT AND TEARS PAY THE BILLS
WHEN THE MORTGAGE IS DUE
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
I PRUNE THE TREES, I PLANT THE SEEDS,
I MOW THE LAWN AND I PULL THE WEEDS
I FEED AND WATER THEN I WATCH THE CROPS GROW
AND PRAY EACH NIGHT WE REAP WHAT WE SOW
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
(BREAK, Fred picks up apples, shakes his head as he looks at them)
IN A FEW YEARS IT COULD ALL GO AWAY
OUR LAND AND THE LIFE THAT WE LEAD TODAY
I'M AFRAID FOR OUR FARMS AND I’M FURIOUS TOO
THE THINGS THAT I WORK SO HARD FOR
COULD BE TAKEN FROM YOU
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
OHHH….A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE SON
CALEB
I don't want to follow in your footsteps if it means yelling at everybody all the
time. And I don't care how you justify the way you act, I think you need to give
respect to get it.
(Caleb storms off stage. Jonah and Rueben are standing frozen, shocked,
staring at Fred. Fred turns and looks at them)
FRED
(speaks sarcastically)
Well, what are you doing? Standing there staring? Do you think that maybe we
could pick some apples SOMETIME TODAY!!??
(Rueben and Jonah start picking apples quickly and nervously. Somehow
Jonah’s bag comes undone, and he loses a bunch of apples to the ground.)
I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS! Why can’t I get competent help around here??!!
(Fred storms offstage in the opposite direction of Caleb. Rueben and
Jonah are alone as they continue to pick up apples onstage,
lighting dims. When the lighting dims, Jonah and Rueben exit stage. Eli
walks onto the stage alone from the other direction. Eli walks onto the
stage and over to a tree, he is obviously agitated, shaking his head.
He picks an apple and rubs it on his shirt as he sits under an old apple tree
with a rotten hole in the base. Out of the corner of his eye he sees
something in the hole of the tree.)
ELI
What is dis?
(He reaches in slowly and pulls out an old rusty tin and brushes off the
cobwebs, He shakes it, and he hears something in it! He then pries off the
lid. He looks in and he views some very old coins. He smiles a big grin.
Eli speaks in an excited tone of voice)
Ee-eee! Lot’s o’money! It look like ole money, mon!
Dere is silver and dere is gold! Dis would be jus what I need ta start mi bizz-ness
up again in Jamaica! Payback fe listenin’ ta Fred go on, dat’s what dis is! I could
lef dis place right now and start mi bizz-ness back home in Jamaica!
(Eli holds onto the tin of money and gets quite dramatic while
singing, holding the tin of money up over his head on the chorus line of
“UP UP”)
AINT NO TURNING BACK
(Eli Sings)
I AIN’T GOT NO FRIEND IN A HIGH SOCIETY
I GOTTA BUILD MY HOPES AND DREAM
JUST TO REACH MY DESTINY
CUZ WHAT IS TO BE MUST BE
IN A DIS HERE REVOLUTIONARY
I GOT TO DO WHAT A MAN GOT TO DO
TO REACH MY OWN DESTINY
IN A DIS HERE REVOLUTIONARY
UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
WE COMIN UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
WHEN I LOOK AROUND IN THE WORLD TODAY
I SEE DE FRUSTRATION OF SO MANY PEOPLE
TO VOICE DERE OPINION
IT HAVTA CAUSE A DEMONSTRATION
NOBODY WANT TO TAKE DE BLAME
AND IT’S A TRUE REALISTIC SHAME
SO AS DE KING MARTIN LUTHER WOULD SAY
I HAVE A DREAM UNTIL DIS DAY YEAH
UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
WE COMIN UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
SOMETIMES WHEN I SIT DOWN
I JUST CAN’T SETTLE DOWN
MY MIND IS SO CONFUSED
I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO
MY HOPES IS ALMOST GONE
I STILL MUST CARRY ON
I GOT TO DO WHAT I GOT TO DO
IN A DIS SOCIETY
I GOT TO STAND UP FOR OUR RIGHTS
I GOT TO STAND UP FOR SOME RIGHTS
UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
WE COMIN UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
I AIN’T GOT NO FRIEND IN A HIGH SOCIETY
I GOT BUILD MY HOPES AND DREAM
JUST TO REACH MY DESTINY
CUZ WHAT IS TO BE MUST BE
IN A DIS HERE REVOLUTIONARY
I GOT TO DO WHAT A MAN GOT TO DO
TO REACH MY OWN DESTINY
IN A DIS HERE REVOLUTIONARY
(Eli walks back over to the tree and sits down beside it holding the tin)
But what if Fred put dis here? If I take it now, there will too much time for Fred to
notice it gone. If l leave now he'll get suspicious and know who took it. Maybe I
better stick around ta de end o’de season and see if it's still dere? Then I can take
it wid mi when I go.
(Eli looks into the open tin)
I’ll see you later, my friend, when it's time to be leavin’.
(He closes it, looks around to make sure no one is looking, puts it back
where he found it, and covers the hole over with some leaves. He stares at
the spot where it lies until the music ends lights fade just before the music
ends. Some intense drum beats during scene change.)
Monday, December 6, 2010
Eli Gets Up Early, Act 1 Scene V
ACT I
SCENE V
Eli Gets Up Early
(Early morning at bunkhouse. Eli gets up early to go out to the orchard
to check on the money. Eli sitting at the table with his coffee, gets up and
starts singing a little ditty about “Feeling so Ire” places his breakfast
dish, cup and the frying pan into the sink and heads toward the door and
grabs Rueben’s hat and places it on his head by mistake. Hat music plays.
Eli looks puzzled and abruptly takes the hat off his head at the same time.
Hat music stops abruptly.)
ELI
What in Jah’s name was dat? Oh, dat's Rueben’s hat…
(Beat)
No wonder he so strange!
(Eli hangs Rueben’s hat on the hanger but the hat falls off the hanger as
Eli grabs his own hat and walks out the back door. He doesn’t notice
Rueben’s hat fall. Jonah and Rueben walk onto the stage. They have just
gotten up and look sleepy)
RUEBEN
Hmmm…looks like Eli already took off dis morning. Dat be early for Eli.
JONAH
Didn’t he take time to eat?
RUEBEN
Ya, he took the time to eat, but he left his dirty dishes in the sink.
JONAH
Sheesh, he could have made sometin’ for us, too! Sometime, dat Eli only tinks
of hissef.
(starts making coffee)
RUEBEN
Why’s my hat on da floor?
(picks it up and hangs it back on the hanger).
Maybe de wind blew it down when Eli left.
JONAH
You want some coffee and toast?
RUEBEN
Sure, tanks
(Scene ends with “What’s Inna Hat” instrumental or live drummers,
continues through the scene change and intermission.)
SCENE V
Eli Gets Up Early
(Early morning at bunkhouse. Eli gets up early to go out to the orchard
to check on the money. Eli sitting at the table with his coffee, gets up and
starts singing a little ditty about “Feeling so Ire” places his breakfast
dish, cup and the frying pan into the sink and heads toward the door and
grabs Rueben’s hat and places it on his head by mistake. Hat music plays.
Eli looks puzzled and abruptly takes the hat off his head at the same time.
Hat music stops abruptly.)
ELI
What in Jah’s name was dat? Oh, dat's Rueben’s hat…
(Beat)
No wonder he so strange!
(Eli hangs Rueben’s hat on the hanger but the hat falls off the hanger as
Eli grabs his own hat and walks out the back door. He doesn’t notice
Rueben’s hat fall. Jonah and Rueben walk onto the stage. They have just
gotten up and look sleepy)
RUEBEN
Hmmm…looks like Eli already took off dis morning. Dat be early for Eli.
JONAH
Didn’t he take time to eat?
RUEBEN
Ya, he took the time to eat, but he left his dirty dishes in the sink.
JONAH
Sheesh, he could have made sometin’ for us, too! Sometime, dat Eli only tinks
of hissef.
(starts making coffee)
RUEBEN
Why’s my hat on da floor?
(picks it up and hangs it back on the hanger).
Maybe de wind blew it down when Eli left.
JONAH
You want some coffee and toast?
RUEBEN
Sure, tanks
(Scene ends with “What’s Inna Hat” instrumental or live drummers,
continues through the scene change and intermission.)
Hidden Treasure, Act I Scene IV
ACT I
SCENE IV
Hidden Treasure
(Scene takes place in apple orchard. Jonah and Rueben are emptying their
apple picking bags into wooden crates. Eli is continuing to pick apples to
fill his bag. Rueben and Jonah go back to picking apples. Rueben's hat is
hanging from a chin strap around his neck. He puts his hat on his head
and hat music plays. After he puts it on, he turns and faces the audience
slowly with a dazed look as he begins to experience Jonah’s thoughts and
feelings since Jonah wore it the night before. They are joined by Caleb,
Farmer Fred's son, who enters from offstage and calls out his first line
from a distance. As he approaches the workers and calls out, volume of
hat music is faded out.)
CALEB
Hey, Don't bruise those apples!
ELI
Oh, mon, as if we don’t have enough! Now we havta put up wid you?
CALEB
Ahh, you love it here! I mean, look at you Eli! You said you weren’t coming
back last year, but at the last minute you realized how much you missed us and
came running back, didn’t you?
ELI
(laughs)
Ah nah mi! Ya know I’d be home if I could!
CALEB
What happened with the business you were going to start?
ELI
Oh, dat be a long story. I’ll tell you about it latter.
CALEB
What's the matter with Rueben? Hey, Rueben! Aren’t you happy to see me?
REUBEN
(Hat music stops and Rueben snaps out of a dazed look.)
What...?
CALEB
Ah never mind, he must be back in Jamaica too! So let’s get to work. What does
the old man want you to do?
ELI
Ahhh, mi tink he say ta pick sum of dem apples. Dis is de apple orchard, ain’t it,
boy?
CALEB
Sheesh, I mean where did he tell you to start picking?
ELI
Wherever de apples are, mon!
(laughs heartily)
CALEB
I see you’re full of it today! I bet I can get them apples down off
those trees quicker than you can!
(Points to a group of apples in the tree.)
ELI
You offerin’ ta work? Dis I gotta see, mon!
(laughs again)
CALEB
Stand back and let me show you how a man gets this job done. Watch and be
amazed.
(Caleb picks up a couple apples from the ground and tosses an
apple at the tree and misses. Eli doubles over laughing)
ELI
Ya, that's some way o'showin' me how a man does the job, boy!
(beat)
Watch this! I’ll show you how it’s done…
(Tosses an apple and knocks some down. This can be acted out or use
props to actually make apples drop.)
CALEB
Ahhh, beginner’s luck! I was just getting warmed up!
(Eli and Caleb continue a friendly competition, while Jonah and Reuben
pick fruit Reuben picks somewhat nervously, occasionally looking up
from his job and shaking his head. Although Jonah is also shaking his
head at Eli and Caleb, he sometimes looks up and chuckles.)
FARMER FRED
(offstage)
WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!!!!
(Walks onto the stage)
CALEB
We’re just trying to have some fun, Dad...
FRED
DO I PAY YOU TO HAVE FUN? YOUR JUST DESTROYING THE FRUIT!
You know, I just put all that new stuff in the bunkhouse, even though we may end
up jobless next year, and here you are, my so-called helpers, destroying what
we’ve worked so hard for!
CALEB
Lighten up, Dad, it was just a joke...
FRED
I don’t give a damn! This isn't a joke, Caleb! This is our livelihood. You know
how hard running an orchard is! You, of all people!! I expect a whole lot more
from you than this! And YOU!
(points to Eli)
I didn’t have to take YOU back this year, on such a short notice, but I did! You
oughta be bustin’ your butt around here! For the next 4 months, I own you! And
when I say jump, you say how high, how fast, and say “Yes sir,” when you do it!
That is if you don’t want to get a one-way ticket back to Jamaica, where you
belong!!
ELI
YAH NAH OWN MI, FRED!
(Eli says “Farmer Fred” derisively).
AND YAH RIGHT! I DO BELONG IN JAMAICA, AN DAT’S WHERE I’LL
BE STAYIN’ NEXT YEAR!!
(Eli storms off stage. Fred starts after him, angry. Caleb stops his father by
stepping in front of him and putting up his arms)
CALEB
Dad! Stop!
FRED
(throws his hands up and back down while speaking)
Get out of my way!
CALEB
Dad...c’mon, have some respect.
FRED
(says sarcatically)
Respect? I’m docking his pay for today!
(beat)
Where's the respect I deserve? I'm not getting that from anyone around here
and what are you doing? Sticking up for them? Don't give me any of that
bleeding heart crap Caleb. You, of all people!
CALEB
What do you mean, me of all people? What's that supposed to mean?
FRED
I mean, forget about respecting the workers. You need to demand respect in order
to get it. That's what I'm talking about!
(intro to song starts)
You need to show the workers who's boss around here and how to get the job
done, unless you want to be picking all those apples yourself!! Hah! And I’d like
to see that! YOU know all the work that has to be done around here, and yet you
take precious time to GOOF off and destroy CROPS! You KNOW how hard I
have to work to grow these apples and to take care of this farm! This farm might
be yours someday, if you’d learn how to get the crops picked!!
(Breaks into “A Greater Burden”)
A GREATER BURDEN
(Farmer Fred Sings)
WHY DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND?
I WOULD GIVE YOU THE SUN AND MOON
EVEN THOUGH, I'M JUST ONE MAN
I WORK HARD FOR NO PAY, BUT I'M WORKING JUST FOR YOU
SWEAT AND TEARS PAY THE BILLS
WHEN THE MORTGAGE IS DUE
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
I PRUNE THE TREES, I PLANT THE SEEDS,
I MOW THE LAWN AND I PULL THE WEEDS
I FEED AND WATER THEN I WATCH THE CROPS GROW
AND PRAY EACH NIGHT WE REAP WHAT WE SOW
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
(BREAK, Fred picks up apples, shakes his head as he looks at them)
IN A FEW YEARS IT COULD ALL GO AWAY
OUR LAND AND THE LIFE THAT WE LEAD TODAY
I'M AFRAID FOR OUR FARMS AND I’M FURIOUS TOO
THE THINGS THAT I WORK SO HARD FOR
COULD BE TAKEN FROM YOU
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
OHHH….A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE SON
CALEB
I don't want to follow in your footsteps if it means yelling at everybody all the
time. And I don't care how you justify the way you act, I think you need to give
respect to get it.
(Caleb storms off stage. Jonah and Rueben are standing frozen, shocked,
staring at Fred. Fred turns and looks at them)
FRED
(speaks sarcastically)
Well, what are you doing? Standing there staring? Do you think that maybe we
could pick some apples SOMETIME TODAY!!??
(Rueben and Jonah start picking apples quickly and nervously. Somehow
Jonah’s bag comes undone, and he loses a bunch of apples to the ground.)
I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS! Why can’t I get competent help around here??!!
(Fred storms offstage in the opposite direction of Caleb. Rueben and
Jonah are alone as they continue to pick up apples onstage,
lighting dims. When the lighting dims, Jonah and Rueben exit stage. Eli
walks onto the stage alone from the other direction. Eli walks onto the
stage and over to a tree, he is obviously agitated, shaking his head.
He picks an apple and rubs it on his shirt as he sits under an old apple tree
with a rotten hole in the base. Out of the corner of his eye he sees
something in the hole of the tree.)
ELI
What is dis?
(He reaches in slowly and pulls out an old rusty tin and brushes off the
cobwebs, He shakes it, and he hears something in it! He then pries off the
lid. He looks in and he views some very old coins. He smiles a big grin.
Eli speaks in an excited tone of voice)
Ee-eee! Lot’s o’money! It look like ole money, mon!
Dere is silver and dere is gold! Dis would be jus what I need ta start mi bizz-ness
up again in Jamaica! Payback fe listenin’ ta Fred go on, dat’s what dis is! I could
lef dis place right now and start mi bizz-ness back home in Jamaica!
(Eli holds onto the tin of money and gets quite dramatic while
singing, holding the tin of money up over his head on the chorus line of
“UP UP”)
AINT NO TURNING BACK
(Eli Sings)
I AIN’T GOT NO FRIEND IN A HIGH SOCIETY
I GOTTA BUILD MY HOPES AND DREAM
JUST TO REACH MY DESTINY
CUZ WHAT IS TO BE MUST BE
IN A DIS HERE REVOLUTIONARY
I GOT TO DO WHAT A MAN GOT TO DO
TO REACH MY OWN DESTINY
IN A DIS HERE REVOLUTIONARY
UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
WE COMIN UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
WHEN I LOOK AROUND IN THE WORLD TODAY
I SEE DE FRUSTRATION OF SO MANY PEOPLE
TO VOICE DERE OPINION
IT HAVTA CAUSE A DEMONSTRATION
NOBODY WANT TO TAKE DE BLAME
AND IT’S A TRUE REALISTIC SHAME
SO AS DE KING MARTIN LUTHER WOULD SAY
I HAVE A DREAM UNTIL DIS DAY YEAH
UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
WE COMIN UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
SOMETIMES WHEN I SIT DOWN
I JUST CAN’T SETTLE DOWN
MY MIND IS SO CONFUSED
I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO
MY HOPES IS ALMOST GONE
I STILL MUST CARRY ON
I GOT TO DO WHAT I GOT TO DO
IN A DIS SOCIETY
I GOT TO STAND UP FOR OUR RIGHTS
I GOT TO STAND UP FOR SOME RIGHTS
UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
WE COMIN UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
I AIN’T GOT NO FRIEND IN A HIGH SOCIETY
I GOT BUILD MY HOPES AND DREAM
JUST TO REACH MY DESTINY
CUZ WHAT IS TO BE MUST BE
IN A DIS HERE REVOLUTIONARY
I GOT TO DO WHAT A MAN GOT TO DO
TO REACH MY OWN DESTINY
IN A DIS HERE REVOLUTIONARY
(Eli walks back over to the tree and sits down beside it holding the tin)
But what if Fred put dis here? If I take it now, there will too much time for Fred to
notice it gone. If l leave now he'll get suspicious and know who took it. Maybe I
better stick around ta de end o’de season and see if it's still dere? Then I can take
it wid mi when I go.
(Eli looks into the open tin)
I’ll see you later, my friend, when it's time to be leavin’.
(He closes it, looks around to make sure no one is looking, puts it back
where he found it, and covers the hole over with some leaves. He stares at
the spot where it lies until the music ends lights fade just before the music
ends. Some intense drum beats during scene change.)
SCENE IV
Hidden Treasure
(Scene takes place in apple orchard. Jonah and Rueben are emptying their
apple picking bags into wooden crates. Eli is continuing to pick apples to
fill his bag. Rueben and Jonah go back to picking apples. Rueben's hat is
hanging from a chin strap around his neck. He puts his hat on his head
and hat music plays. After he puts it on, he turns and faces the audience
slowly with a dazed look as he begins to experience Jonah’s thoughts and
feelings since Jonah wore it the night before. They are joined by Caleb,
Farmer Fred's son, who enters from offstage and calls out his first line
from a distance. As he approaches the workers and calls out, volume of
hat music is faded out.)
CALEB
Hey, Don't bruise those apples!
ELI
Oh, mon, as if we don’t have enough! Now we havta put up wid you?
CALEB
Ahh, you love it here! I mean, look at you Eli! You said you weren’t coming
back last year, but at the last minute you realized how much you missed us and
came running back, didn’t you?
ELI
(laughs)
Ah nah mi! Ya know I’d be home if I could!
CALEB
What happened with the business you were going to start?
ELI
Oh, dat be a long story. I’ll tell you about it latter.
CALEB
What's the matter with Rueben? Hey, Rueben! Aren’t you happy to see me?
REUBEN
(Hat music stops and Rueben snaps out of a dazed look.)
What...?
CALEB
Ah never mind, he must be back in Jamaica too! So let’s get to work. What does
the old man want you to do?
ELI
Ahhh, mi tink he say ta pick sum of dem apples. Dis is de apple orchard, ain’t it,
boy?
CALEB
Sheesh, I mean where did he tell you to start picking?
ELI
Wherever de apples are, mon!
(laughs heartily)
CALEB
I see you’re full of it today! I bet I can get them apples down off
those trees quicker than you can!
(Points to a group of apples in the tree.)
ELI
You offerin’ ta work? Dis I gotta see, mon!
(laughs again)
CALEB
Stand back and let me show you how a man gets this job done. Watch and be
amazed.
(Caleb picks up a couple apples from the ground and tosses an
apple at the tree and misses. Eli doubles over laughing)
ELI
Ya, that's some way o'showin' me how a man does the job, boy!
(beat)
Watch this! I’ll show you how it’s done…
(Tosses an apple and knocks some down. This can be acted out or use
props to actually make apples drop.)
CALEB
Ahhh, beginner’s luck! I was just getting warmed up!
(Eli and Caleb continue a friendly competition, while Jonah and Reuben
pick fruit Reuben picks somewhat nervously, occasionally looking up
from his job and shaking his head. Although Jonah is also shaking his
head at Eli and Caleb, he sometimes looks up and chuckles.)
FARMER FRED
(offstage)
WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!!!!
(Walks onto the stage)
CALEB
We’re just trying to have some fun, Dad...
FRED
DO I PAY YOU TO HAVE FUN? YOUR JUST DESTROYING THE FRUIT!
You know, I just put all that new stuff in the bunkhouse, even though we may end
up jobless next year, and here you are, my so-called helpers, destroying what
we’ve worked so hard for!
CALEB
Lighten up, Dad, it was just a joke...
FRED
I don’t give a damn! This isn't a joke, Caleb! This is our livelihood. You know
how hard running an orchard is! You, of all people!! I expect a whole lot more
from you than this! And YOU!
(points to Eli)
I didn’t have to take YOU back this year, on such a short notice, but I did! You
oughta be bustin’ your butt around here! For the next 4 months, I own you! And
when I say jump, you say how high, how fast, and say “Yes sir,” when you do it!
That is if you don’t want to get a one-way ticket back to Jamaica, where you
belong!!
ELI
YAH NAH OWN MI, FRED!
(Eli says “Farmer Fred” derisively).
AND YAH RIGHT! I DO BELONG IN JAMAICA, AN DAT’S WHERE I’LL
BE STAYIN’ NEXT YEAR!!
(Eli storms off stage. Fred starts after him, angry. Caleb stops his father by
stepping in front of him and putting up his arms)
CALEB
Dad! Stop!
FRED
(throws his hands up and back down while speaking)
Get out of my way!
CALEB
Dad...c’mon, have some respect.
FRED
(says sarcatically)
Respect? I’m docking his pay for today!
(beat)
Where's the respect I deserve? I'm not getting that from anyone around here
and what are you doing? Sticking up for them? Don't give me any of that
bleeding heart crap Caleb. You, of all people!
CALEB
What do you mean, me of all people? What's that supposed to mean?
FRED
I mean, forget about respecting the workers. You need to demand respect in order
to get it. That's what I'm talking about!
(intro to song starts)
You need to show the workers who's boss around here and how to get the job
done, unless you want to be picking all those apples yourself!! Hah! And I’d like
to see that! YOU know all the work that has to be done around here, and yet you
take precious time to GOOF off and destroy CROPS! You KNOW how hard I
have to work to grow these apples and to take care of this farm! This farm might
be yours someday, if you’d learn how to get the crops picked!!
(Breaks into “A Greater Burden”)
A GREATER BURDEN
(Farmer Fred Sings)
WHY DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND?
I WOULD GIVE YOU THE SUN AND MOON
EVEN THOUGH, I'M JUST ONE MAN
I WORK HARD FOR NO PAY, BUT I'M WORKING JUST FOR YOU
SWEAT AND TEARS PAY THE BILLS
WHEN THE MORTGAGE IS DUE
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
I PRUNE THE TREES, I PLANT THE SEEDS,
I MOW THE LAWN AND I PULL THE WEEDS
I FEED AND WATER THEN I WATCH THE CROPS GROW
AND PRAY EACH NIGHT WE REAP WHAT WE SOW
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
(BREAK, Fred picks up apples, shakes his head as he looks at them)
IN A FEW YEARS IT COULD ALL GO AWAY
OUR LAND AND THE LIFE THAT WE LEAD TODAY
I'M AFRAID FOR OUR FARMS AND I’M FURIOUS TOO
THE THINGS THAT I WORK SO HARD FOR
COULD BE TAKEN FROM YOU
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE
OHHH….A GREATER BURDEN IS MINE SON
CALEB
I don't want to follow in your footsteps if it means yelling at everybody all the
time. And I don't care how you justify the way you act, I think you need to give
respect to get it.
(Caleb storms off stage. Jonah and Rueben are standing frozen, shocked,
staring at Fred. Fred turns and looks at them)
FRED
(speaks sarcastically)
Well, what are you doing? Standing there staring? Do you think that maybe we
could pick some apples SOMETIME TODAY!!??
(Rueben and Jonah start picking apples quickly and nervously. Somehow
Jonah’s bag comes undone, and he loses a bunch of apples to the ground.)
I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS! Why can’t I get competent help around here??!!
(Fred storms offstage in the opposite direction of Caleb. Rueben and
Jonah are alone as they continue to pick up apples onstage,
lighting dims. When the lighting dims, Jonah and Rueben exit stage. Eli
walks onto the stage alone from the other direction. Eli walks onto the
stage and over to a tree, he is obviously agitated, shaking his head.
He picks an apple and rubs it on his shirt as he sits under an old apple tree
with a rotten hole in the base. Out of the corner of his eye he sees
something in the hole of the tree.)
ELI
What is dis?
(He reaches in slowly and pulls out an old rusty tin and brushes off the
cobwebs, He shakes it, and he hears something in it! He then pries off the
lid. He looks in and he views some very old coins. He smiles a big grin.
Eli speaks in an excited tone of voice)
Ee-eee! Lot’s o’money! It look like ole money, mon!
Dere is silver and dere is gold! Dis would be jus what I need ta start mi bizz-ness
up again in Jamaica! Payback fe listenin’ ta Fred go on, dat’s what dis is! I could
lef dis place right now and start mi bizz-ness back home in Jamaica!
(Eli holds onto the tin of money and gets quite dramatic while
singing, holding the tin of money up over his head on the chorus line of
“UP UP”)
AINT NO TURNING BACK
(Eli Sings)
I AIN’T GOT NO FRIEND IN A HIGH SOCIETY
I GOTTA BUILD MY HOPES AND DREAM
JUST TO REACH MY DESTINY
CUZ WHAT IS TO BE MUST BE
IN A DIS HERE REVOLUTIONARY
I GOT TO DO WHAT A MAN GOT TO DO
TO REACH MY OWN DESTINY
IN A DIS HERE REVOLUTIONARY
UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
WE COMIN UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
WHEN I LOOK AROUND IN THE WORLD TODAY
I SEE DE FRUSTRATION OF SO MANY PEOPLE
TO VOICE DERE OPINION
IT HAVTA CAUSE A DEMONSTRATION
NOBODY WANT TO TAKE DE BLAME
AND IT’S A TRUE REALISTIC SHAME
SO AS DE KING MARTIN LUTHER WOULD SAY
I HAVE A DREAM UNTIL DIS DAY YEAH
UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
WE COMIN UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
SOMETIMES WHEN I SIT DOWN
I JUST CAN’T SETTLE DOWN
MY MIND IS SO CONFUSED
I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO
MY HOPES IS ALMOST GONE
I STILL MUST CARRY ON
I GOT TO DO WHAT I GOT TO DO
IN A DIS SOCIETY
I GOT TO STAND UP FOR OUR RIGHTS
I GOT TO STAND UP FOR SOME RIGHTS
UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
WE COMIN UP UP WE GOT DE CITY LUCK
I NO WE CRUMBLE
AIN’T NO TURNING BACK
I AIN’T GOT NO FRIEND IN A HIGH SOCIETY
I GOT BUILD MY HOPES AND DREAM
JUST TO REACH MY DESTINY
CUZ WHAT IS TO BE MUST BE
IN A DIS HERE REVOLUTIONARY
I GOT TO DO WHAT A MAN GOT TO DO
TO REACH MY OWN DESTINY
IN A DIS HERE REVOLUTIONARY
(Eli walks back over to the tree and sits down beside it holding the tin)
But what if Fred put dis here? If I take it now, there will too much time for Fred to
notice it gone. If l leave now he'll get suspicious and know who took it. Maybe I
better stick around ta de end o’de season and see if it's still dere? Then I can take
it wid mi when I go.
(Eli looks into the open tin)
I’ll see you later, my friend, when it's time to be leavin’.
(He closes it, looks around to make sure no one is looking, puts it back
where he found it, and covers the hole over with some leaves. He stares at
the spot where it lies until the music ends lights fade just before the music
ends. Some intense drum beats during scene change.)
Excepted for Latenight Theater
I thought to myself, well I guess we could go over it a few more times, just to make sure we have it right. In truth, at this point I just wanted to hand it over to the theater and never look at it again! It was time to let our creation go!
The night of the presentation I was extremely nervous, as I was the only one who was willing to present, The Hat,” a musical performance never before seen on stage, and never being on stage before in my life, (except as a penguin in 2nd grade) I was a wreck! We had background music that I had to read along to, hitting certain words at just the right moment. As I approached the members of the board directly in front of the stage, the music started and I began reading, swaying from one foot to the other, shaking and tripping up on my words, I finally reached the end and took my seat as fast as I possibly could! “You did good,” my partner Rob reassured me as he took my hand and squeezed it. I had my doubts, had I messed up our only moment? All these years of hard work, why didn’t I think to hire an actor to present this play! Even though I was frazzled, we left with high hopes of being given the opportunity for our play to be performed.
Now the waiting had begun. We were told that the board would not be making their decision until the end of March! So for two months we waited, and disagreed whether we needed a director or not. I thought we could do this, who else will take this play and run with it? Who else would believe in it as we did? Janet on the other hand was completely done with it! She was under the impression, that if the theater accepted our play they would provide the production company and we would be in charge of advertising, and props. She told me, “If it is excepted, you’re going to have to back away and let the director take over!” For the last week we avoided each other a bit, as we would get into heated discussions almost every time we brought up the topic, and we couldn’t find much else to talk about!
On the day I received the e-mail from The Player’s Ring, Janet just happened to be visiting. I opened the message and began reading it out loud, “We are pleased to inform you that your musical, “The Hat,” has been excepted in next seasons ”Late Night,” performance schedule! Woohoo! We jumped around the studio like a couple of kids who consumed way too much sugar. Once we calmed down, we tried to figure out what to do next? “Well we have to go to the Members Only, reception and present it once again to the media and members. Then we go to the Rehearsal Weekend, and pick the actors we want for the performance!” That sounded simple enough beamed Janet. I on the other hand, thought, this all sounds way too simple to me, I had this notion that we were in for much more than we had anticipated! I found out later, that this notion was quite an understatement!
The night of the presentation I was extremely nervous, as I was the only one who was willing to present, The Hat,” a musical performance never before seen on stage, and never being on stage before in my life, (except as a penguin in 2nd grade) I was a wreck! We had background music that I had to read along to, hitting certain words at just the right moment. As I approached the members of the board directly in front of the stage, the music started and I began reading, swaying from one foot to the other, shaking and tripping up on my words, I finally reached the end and took my seat as fast as I possibly could! “You did good,” my partner Rob reassured me as he took my hand and squeezed it. I had my doubts, had I messed up our only moment? All these years of hard work, why didn’t I think to hire an actor to present this play! Even though I was frazzled, we left with high hopes of being given the opportunity for our play to be performed.
Now the waiting had begun. We were told that the board would not be making their decision until the end of March! So for two months we waited, and disagreed whether we needed a director or not. I thought we could do this, who else will take this play and run with it? Who else would believe in it as we did? Janet on the other hand was completely done with it! She was under the impression, that if the theater accepted our play they would provide the production company and we would be in charge of advertising, and props. She told me, “If it is excepted, you’re going to have to back away and let the director take over!” For the last week we avoided each other a bit, as we would get into heated discussions almost every time we brought up the topic, and we couldn’t find much else to talk about!
On the day I received the e-mail from The Player’s Ring, Janet just happened to be visiting. I opened the message and began reading it out loud, “We are pleased to inform you that your musical, “The Hat,” has been excepted in next seasons ”Late Night,” performance schedule! Woohoo! We jumped around the studio like a couple of kids who consumed way too much sugar. Once we calmed down, we tried to figure out what to do next? “Well we have to go to the Members Only, reception and present it once again to the media and members. Then we go to the Rehearsal Weekend, and pick the actors we want for the performance!” That sounded simple enough beamed Janet. I on the other hand, thought, this all sounds way too simple to me, I had this notion that we were in for much more than we had anticipated! I found out later, that this notion was quite an understatement!
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