ACT I
SCENE 1
Leaving Jamaica
(Rueben and his family enter stage, walk to center stage. Reuben is
standing with his family in a Jamaican market place in front of a basket
makers shop saying goodbye to them. There is also a hat shop at the right
of the stage and two street musicians with a hat on the ground in front of
them. The musicians are softly playing the tune “I’ll Always Be Wid
You.” Rueben brushes his wife’s cheek tenderly and looks towards her
warmly with a faint smile. This entire scene can take place in front of the
curtain with backdrops pinned to the curtain.)
CHARISE
Oh, don’t.
(with a melancholy voice and attitude)
RUEBEN
What?
(grins slyly)
CHARISE
Ya know it hard enough ta see you go.
(Beat)
Dis year, it seem, I miss you even more.
We never been apart when a baby come. Den, you look at me wid dose
big brown eyes dat way, maken it even harder ta see ya go.
(She pauses then she hugs him, and looks up into his eyes with her
hand upon his chest.)
RUEBEN
Look at you dat way? You are the most beautiful woman in all the world ta me, I
can’t help but look at you dat way.
(Beat)
Before de bus come, how about some of mi good luvin'?
(He wraps his arms around her and goes to kiss her.)
CHARISE
(Pretends to be shocked, and says playfully.)
Reuben! You so bad….
(She swats at him playfully as they both laugh. They both stop laughing
and pause to look at each other.)
RUEBEN
No, I mean it Charise, you know I’m true
(beat)
I see all, when I look at you my dear, you are beautiful, Charise..
(Charise turns her head and looks down. Rueben puts his hand under
her chin and turns her head to look him in the eyes)
I see de woman I love, I see de mudder of mi babies, I see mi whole world in
your eyes. Everytin’ I am, evertin’ I want, everytin I dream about. Charise, when
I look in your eyes, I see your soul, and our souls,
(beat)
our souls will always be ta-gedder.
(He kisses her softly and sings as he gazes into her eyes.)
(The guitarists play louder from the beginning of song, or play pre-
recorded instrumental of I’ll Always Be With You
I’LL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU
(Reuben sings)
WIPE DE TEAR FROM YOUR EYE
OUR LOVE FIND IT'S WAY THROUGH
LIKE THE STARS IN DE SKY
MY LOVE CONSTANT AND TRUE
WHEREVER I BE
I”LL ALWAYS BE WID YOU
KNOW DIS LOVE FLOW FROM MI
TO ALWAYS BE WID YOU
HEAR DE WIND IN DE TREE
IS MY VOICE CALLIN TO YOU
AND DE RUSSLING IN DE LEAVE
IS MY LOVE REACHIN' THROUGH
(CHORUS)
WHEREVER I BE
I ALWAYS BE WID YOU
KNOW DIS LOVE FLOW FROM MI
TO ALWAYS BE WID YOU
IF YOUR MIND CLOUD WID FEAR
LOOK IN YOUR HEART, FEEL ME NEAR
NIGHT AND DAY I DO PRAY
OUR LOVE GROW SO STRONG
CHORUS
WHEREVER I BE
I ALWAYS BE WID YOU
KNOW DIS LOVE FLOW FROM MI
TO ALWAYS BE WID YOU
WHEN DE EARTH FADE AWAY
AND DE STAR DIM FROM VIEW
AND ONLY DE HEAVEN REMAIN, AND MY LOVE FER YOU
OH ONLY DE HEAVEN REMAIN , AND MY LOVE FER YOU
YEAH ONLY DE HEAVEN REMAIN , AND MY LOVE FOR YOU
I ALWAYS BE WID YOU. (speaks this last line)
(The guitarist continues playing the melody softly until the next scene
opens in the hat shop.)
(Rueben touches her cheek and wipes away a tear. Charise looks at him
and tries not to cry and covers her mouth. He moves her hand and
kisses her goodbye.)
RUEBEN
(Looks to his daughter holding her Mama’s hand)
Papa will try to be back before de new baby come. Ok, my little one?
(Rueben kneels down and kisses and hugs his daughter then stands up
DAUGHTER
OK Papa, I take good care of her.
(She tries to act older and stronger about his leaving, but it is obvious she
is sad, and will miss him.)
CHARISE
( Charise sniffles and reaches up and gently touches his hat).
Ya ought ta get rid of dat ‘ole ting.
(Smiles sadly)
Well, go on now, you need ta’ get goin’.
RUEBEN
Jus' call mi at de farm if you have any problem, and remember, I always be
wid you.
CHARISE
Reuben, I will always be wid you. Hava safe trip, and I hope
Farmer Fred is good ta ya dis year!
REUBEN
Hah! Now dat would be nice fer a change! Maybe he give us all a big bonus dis
year!
(He laughs and waves as he turns to leave.)
(Charise and daughter wave and exit stage)
(Reuben walks a short distance to a bus stop sign. He looks up at the store
sign and notices that he is standing in front of a hat shop. He touches his
hat, then looks at his watch.)
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