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IRISH COUNTRYSIDE - MODERN DAY
I nsi de a t ent used f or st or age and sl eepi ng. At u. c. t her e i s al ar ge ci r cus wagon bi g enough t o hol d a l i on. At u. l . i s a f l api n t he t ent used f or exi t i ng. St age- r i ght of t he wagon i s amannequi n dr essed i n a cour t j est er ' s out f i t and f aci ng u. s.Next t o t hat i s a dar t boar d pr opped agai nst t he t ent . At l . c.i s a make- up mi r r or / t abl e wi t h bul bs al l ar ound i t . Ther e ar et wo f ol d- up beds, one at l . c. and t he ot her at r . c. Thr eet ai l or - st yl e mannequi n dummi es ar e scat t er ed ar ound t he st age.One at c. s. , one at d. l . The t hi r d i s d. r . and used when Ot t ochanges f or t he second act . Hangi ng f r om t he cei l i ng i s a bar el i ght bul b cast i ng a dr ear y and i nsuf f i ci ent l i ght ont o t hest age. Scat t er ed ar ound t he st age ar e ni ght st ands, a wash bowl ,a l ar ge chest , and chest er dr aws.
Aut hor s not e: The set coul d r ef l ect ei t her a cont empor ar yset t i ng or a Vi ct or i an set t i ng dependi ng on how dar k t he
i nt er pr et at i on.
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CAST LIST FOR OLLIE OLLIE OXENFREE
OLLIE - Thi r t i es . I r i sh. Shabby l ooki ng. Resent s s t i l l l i vi ngwi t h hi s mot her . An epi l ept i c wi t h a vi ol ent t emper who i seasi l y l ed and domi nat ed.
MAMA 50- 60+. I r i sh. Seamst r ess and pr ovi der f or Ol l i e.Repr esses Ol l i e i n ever y way. For gi ves Ol l i e' s t emper s butdoesn' t have t he st r engt h t o f i ght hi m any l onger .
OTTO - 30+. Ol l i e' s al t er - ego. Want s t o t ake over Ol l i e' smi nd. The epi t ome of a Devi l ' s Advocat e. Engl i sh- Cockneyaccent .
RACHEL - Lat e t went i es. I r i sh Gypsy f or t une t el l er andoppor t uni st . Li kes Ol l i e but i s mor e i nt er est ed i n hi s mot her sval uabl es.
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( He t akes hi s j acket of f anddr apes i t over t he j est ermannequi n. )
. . . Looks l ovel y on you. . .
( Looki ng ar ound t he t ent , hespot s some mat er i al dr apedacr oss t he t abl e at d. c.Met hodi cal l y, he moves t o t het abl e. )
( Musi cal l y). . . Wher e ar e you? I ' l l f i nd you. . .
( Pul l i ng back t he mat er i al , he
l ooks under t he t abl e. Fi ndi ngno- one, he st ands st r ai ght upand t akes a deep br eat h.Angered, he agai n l ooksar ound. )
( Del i ber at e). . . Wher e ar e you?. . . WHERE ARE YOU?. . .
( He spot s some movement f r omunder t he sewi ng t abl e t hat i sal so dr aped wi t h mat er i al .Smi l i ng wr yl y, he cr osses t ot he sewi ng t abl e and l eansagai nst i t , r ocki ng back andf or t h l i ke a hawk t hat hascaught i t s pr ey. )
. . . I wonder where you' ve got t o. Have you f ound a saf epl ace t o hi de?. . . Ar e you pl ayi ng f ai r ?. . . You knowi t ' s not ni ce t o hi de f r om me. . .
( Vi ol ent l y pul l i ng t he mat er i alf r om t he sewi ng t abl e, he bendsand dr ags MAMA f r om under t het abl e, j er ki ng her up i nt o a
st andi ng posi t i on. ). . . I sai d, I T' S NOT NI CE TO HI DE FROM ME! . .
( OLLI E l i f t s hi s ar m as i f t ost r i ke Mama. )
MAMAOLLI E! . . . DON' T!
OLLI EDon' t ? Don' t what ?. . Don' t hi t you?. . Don' t shout atyou?. . Don' t be l i ke t hat ?. . . DON' T WHAT?
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MAMADon' t be over - exer t i ng your sel f , now.
OLLI EDON' T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!
MAMAI t ' s not your f aul t . I t ' s t he pi l l s . They' r e t oo muchf or you.
OLLI EI t ' s not t he pi l l s Mam, I t ' s YOU! YOU' RE THE PROBLEM!
MAMA You don' t know what you r e sayi ng.
OLLI ESHUT UP! I KNOW WHAT I ' M SAYI NG! DON' T TELL ME I DON' TKNOW WHAT I ' M SAYI NG! I KNOW WHAT I ' M SAYI NG! . . .
( OLLI E t akes a st ep back,swal l owi ng and gr unt i ng sever alt i mes. )
. . . I know what . . .
( He begi ns t o snor t . ). . . I know. . . I . . .
( OLLI E f r eezes as hi s f acecont or t s i n a gr unt . Hi s r i ghtar m begi ns t o shake vi ol ent l yas he t wi st s hi s head, t r yi ngt o f i ght an onsl aught he hasexper i enced bef or e.
MAMAI t ol d you, I t ol d you! . . .
( MAMA gr abs Ol l i e' s ar m andswi f t l y gui des hi m as theycross s. r t o hi s bed. )
Li e down. . . Come on now. . .( MAMA l ays Ol l i e down on t hebed as hi s whol e body begi ns t o
j er k unpredi ct abl y. MAMA si t sat t he t op of hi s bed, cr adl i nghi s head on her l ap as gar gl edsounds emanat e f r om OLLI E' Smout h. )
. . . Ther e, t her e. You poor boy. Ever yt hi ng' s al r i ght .Mama f or gi ves ya. I t ' s not your f aul t . Shush now. . .
( OLLI E cont i nues t o shake as
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( MAMA not i ces OLLI E st i r r i ngf r om hi s sl umber . )
MAMA. . . Ar e you f eel i ng bet t er , Ol l i e dear ?
OLLI EWhat happened?
MAMA You had anot her at t ack, you di d.
OLLI EI t hought t he medi ci ne was supposed t o hel p me.
MAMA
You t ook t oo much, Ol l i e. Too much or t oo l i t t l e i s badf or you.
OLLI EI s t her e any l ef t Mam?
MAMA You wast ed t hem, so I ' ve sent f or some mor e.
( MAMA r i ses and cr osses t o t hemi r r or and pl ugs i n an el ect r i cket t l e si t t i ng on t he dr essi ngt abl e. She t hen pr oceeds t oput a Tea bag i n each of t het wo cups si t t i ng next t o t heket t l e. )
MAMALi st en, a ni ce cuppa wi l l set you st r ai ght and I ' l l adda coupl e of bi scui t s so t hat you' l l have somet hi ng i nyour bel l y. . .
( OLLI E acknowl edges as he rubshi s neck i n t he at t empt t or ecover f r om hi s sei zur e. )
. . . You r es t t i l l your t ea' s r eady. . .( Tr yi ng t o r eason wi t h hi m. )
. . . You know Ol l i e, i f you d onl y t ake your medi ci ne i nmoderat i on, you woul dn' t have so many at t acks.
OLLI EI know Mam, I know.
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MAMA The embar r assment you cause wi t h t hat t r i gger t emper ofyour s i s t oo much f or your ol d mot her t o bear . I t ' sl i ke you' r e t wo peopl e, one I know and one I don' t . Nott oo many peopl e woul d put up wi t h your ant i cs, I cant el l you.
OLLI EAl r i ght Mam.
MAMABut you won' t l i st en t o your mot her . . . no, you have t o dot hi ngs your own way. . . I ' m onl y t r yi ng t o hel p you, youknow.
OLLI E
ALRI GHT! . . al r i ght . I hear you.MAMA
Medi ci ne i s t her e t o make peopl e bet t er , i t i s.
OLLI EI j ust get t i r ed of havi ng t o swal l ow pi l l s ever y day.
MAMABut t hat ' s what wi l l st op you f r om havi ng your at t acks.
You under st and t hat , don' t you?
OLLI EI j us t wi sh i t wer e di f f er ent , t hat ' s al l .
MAMASo do I , so do I , but swal l owi ng as many as you di d wi l lki l l you. I hat e seei ng you get t hose at t acks.
OLLI E They wear me out .
MAMAAnd what i f you di ed dur i ng one? I ' d be al l al one.
OLLI ESuch a demonst r at i on of compassi on.
MAMAAnd what do you expect wi t h al l ya put me t hrough?
OLLI EAt l east I ' m s t i l l ar ound. I ' m not l i ke t he ot herf el l ah i n Amer i ca who abandoned us. . . and he' s t houghtbet t er of .
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MAMAI ' ve my axe t o gr i nd wi t h your br ot her t oo.
OLLI EWhy di d I have t o be t he one wi t h f i t s?
MAMA You f or get t hat your brot her di dn' t f al l out of a t r eewhen he was t en year s ol d. He wasn' t as wi l d as you.Kept hi s head on st r ai ght , he di d.
OLLI E( Bor ed)
The revered son.
MAMA
I r emember t he f i r st t i me you had an at t ack. Ri ght i nt he mi dst of mass, i t was. Ther e was t he pr i est i n t hemi ddl e of communi on, gi vi ng you t he br ead and sayi n: " I nt he name of t he f at her , t he son and t he hol y ghost , " andyou wr i t hi ng on t he f l oor i n f r ont of t he al t ar , wi t hf oam comi ng out of your mout h. Fat her Fl anagan di dn' tknow whet her t o gi ve you communi on or an exor ci sm. . .
Mr s. O' Lear y f r om t he pub was st ar i ng at me as i f I ' dgi ven bi r t h t o t he Devi l . . . I f you coul d' ve seen t hel ook on t hat one' s f ace. . . " Cur sed" she t ol d ever yoneel se, I was. Twas her t hat was cur sed. . . wi t h t hedhrink , i t was. Di ed, she di d, t en mont hs l at er , r ot t edl i ver .
OLLI EHer sons al ways t eased me.
MAMAHmph! Look wher e t hey ended up. I n pr i son f or doi ngt hat God- awf ul t hi ng t o t he Sul l i van gi r l . . .
( Bl essi ng her sel f ). . . God r est her soul . . . Gypsi es, t hat ' s what t heywer e. . . Never t r ust a Gypsy, t hat ' s what I say. . . I
r emember many a day you' r e br ot her came home wi t h al lki nds of br ui ses and scr at ches f r om st i cki ng up f or youi n school . Your f at her . . .
( Bl essi ng her sel f agai n). . . God r es t hi s soul , f or bi d hi m t o f i ght your f i ght s .I t ol d your br ot her t hat i f you ever came home wi t h amar k on your pr et t y l i t t l e f ace, I ' d never f or gi ve hi m.
( MAMA pr epar es t hei r Tea. )
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OLLI ENo wonder he l ef t us as f ast as he coul d. He di dn' twant t o be bur dened wi t h me t he r est of hi s l i f e.
MAMANot at al l .
OLLI EHe abandoned us.
MAMANo Ol l i e. He got t r apped by a woman wi t h no t al ent i nher f i nger s and no br ai n i n her head. He t r i ed t o avoi dher but i t was l i ke wal ki ng bl i nd i nt o a l i on' s cage.
Thought i f he coul dn' t see her t hen she coul dn' t seehi m. I r emember when he' d go of f t o meet her ? You' d
want t o go t oo but he woul dn' t l et you. Somet i mes hehad t o beat t he l i vi ng dayl i ght s out of you t o get r i dof you - l i ke t he t i me he j umped on a bus and t ur ned t osee you r unni ng af t er i t . You di dn' t know wher e he wasgoi ng. You j ust want ed t o be wi t h hi m. Ther e you werecl i ngi ng t o t he handr ai l t r yi ng t o get on t he bus andyour br ot her ki cki ng you i n t he f ace so you' d l et go.
OLLI EWhy d he do t hat , Mam?
MAMACause t hat eej i t of a woman he was seei ng dr ove hi m t oext r emes. She f i l l ed hi s head wi t h i mmor al t hought s,she di d. He wasn' t i n cont r ol . Tr apped hi m, she di d,wi t h l ust . St uck wi t h her he i s now. Shtuck!
OLLI EHe coul d al ways come back her e wher e he bel ongs?
MAMAAh, he' s t oo l oyal t o t hat one, he i s. . .
( Mocki ng). . . " Afhraid " t o l eave hi s mast er .
OLLI EAt l east he s got out and about and exper i enced a bi t ofl i f e.
MAMAWhat has he seen t hat ' s so gr eat , hi s Precious onewi t hout her caked on make- up and f ancy kni cker s?
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OLLI EHe has l ove, i ndependence, f r eedom. .
MAMAOl l i e dear . . . We' ve been t hr ough t hi s bef or e. . . Youraf f l i ct i on woul d not be under st ood by t hose i n t heout si de wor l d.
OLLI E The out si de wor l d?. . . What ar e we t hen, a sel f -cont ai ned, nat i on of t wo wher e out si der s need a passpor tt o come and go?
( Mocki ngl y)Oh, sor r y si r , sor r y madam, we r e over - popul at ed andyou ar e undesi r abl e and we don t accept st r anger s sopi s s of f !
( he pauses but Mama does nott ake t he bai t )I m t he one i n t he f or ei gn count r y.
MAMA You r e t he one wi t h f i t s. See i f t hat get s you t hroughdoor s Anyway, what s wr ong wi t h st ayi ng her e andt r avel l i ng wi t h t he Ci r cus?
OLLI ESame l ooki ng pl aces, same l ooki ng f aces, same f ourt ent ed wal l s. Ther e' s a wor l d out si de of t hi s. . .canvas. . . confinement and your i r on gr i p. I ' d l i ke t ogo see my br ot her i n Amer i ca but I can' t because I ' mst uck her e wi t h you. . .
( Mocki ngl y). . . and you " coul dn' t bear t o see me go. " J esus, youeven pani c i f I ' m t oo l ong t o shi t .
MAMAWhat do you want goi ng t o Amer i ca f or ? Sur e, whatbusi ness do you have goi ng t her e when you don' t evenhave a j ob t o pay f or your t i cket . You woul dn' t get f aron your dole money .
OLLI EMy brother woul d t ake car e of me. He t ol d me so, year sago; bef or e he l ef t .
MAMAAnd how l ong do you t hi nk your wel come woul d l ast wi t hhi s missus ? She coul dn' t wai t t o dr ag hi m away f r om hi sf ami l y. You t hi nk she' d put up wi t h you on herdoor st ep? No! Especi al l y when you' r e havi ng f i t s causeyou don' t have t he medi ci ne t o pr event t hem. I woul dn' tput i t past t hat one t o l ock you up i n a ment al
hospi t al , t hen wher e woul d you be? Ya bet t er of f wher eyou ar e. Take my wor d f or i t . Your br ot her onl y f i l l edyour head wi t h empt y pr omi ses. He was st i l l t r yi ng t o
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get away f r om you, onl y t hi s t i me he used l i es i nst eadof f i st s .
OLLI E That ' s not t r ue! . . . Di d he t el l you t hat ?
MAMAI ' m your mot her and mot her ' s don' t l i e. Now come dr i nkyour Tea bef or e i t get s col d.
( OLLI E r i ses and cr osses d. c.t o t he t abl e. )
OLLI EBut he t ol d me. .
MAMAHe t ol d you what you want ed t o hear .
OLLI EWhy must you al ways be l i ke t hi s - seei ng bad i never yone?
MAMACause t hat ' s t he way peopl e ar e. They' r e onl yi nt er est ed i n t hemsel ves. You r emember t hat .
OLLI ENot ever yone s l i ke you.
MAMAOh, t her e' s t he t hanks I get f or br i ngi ng you i nt o t hi swor l d; f or l ooki ng af t er you when you can' t do i tyour sel f ; f or pi cki ng you of f t he f l oor af t er a wr i t hi ngcont or t i on. Ther e' s t he t hanks; t o be accused ofconcei t .
OLLI EAl l I want t o do i s make a l i f e f or mysel f bef or e I ' mt oo bl oody ol d!
MAMAWhat woul d you do?
OLLI EAmer i ca i s t he l and of oppor t uni t y f ul l of skyscr aper s,mount ai ns, pr ai r i es. Ever yt hi ng i s bi gger and bet t ert her e. Ther e' s wor k, l ot s of i t Mama and wi t h r ewar ds.
MAMAWhat you mean i s t hat t he dol e money i s much mor e.
You' ve never done a dacent day' s wor k i n your l i f e, muchl ess keep a j ob.
OLLI EI ' m not af r ai d of wor ki ng.
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MAMA
No, but t he peopl e you work f or become af r ai d of you.
OLLI E( Tr yi ng t o br ush her r emar k of fwi t h dr amat i c br avado)
Ah, go on now woman. Ti s a bi g st r ong man you' r e t al ki nt o now! Fi ne I r i sh st ock, he i s.
MAMASt r ong you ar e. Smar t , you i s not .
OLLI EI can l ear n.
MAMANo- one hi r es epi l ept i cs!
OLLI E( Mocki ng her )
Ah now, t hat ' s a bi g wor d t her e, i t i s. Let s see,Epi l ept i c. Ther e s f our syl l abl es i n i t , t wo I s t woP s, t wo E s, and an anagr am f or i t i s t i ppl e i ce. Doyou know what t i ppl e i ce means? I t means t o have adr i nk wi t h i ce. Mi ne wi l l be a J ack Dani el s i n New
York!
MAMASur e, you' r e not al l t her e.
OLLI EI ' m compl et el y i n cont r ol . Don' t you f or one momentt hi nk t hat I coul dn' t get wor k.
MAMAWhat woul d you do? You have no ski l l s.
OLLI EI woul d do what I do here. Wat ch and l earn. I ' vepi cked up a f ew t hi ngs her e and t here.
MAMALi ke how t o shovel el ephant shi t ?
OLLI EI ' ve been wat chi ng Dermot t he r i ngmast er and pi cki ng upsome t i ps.
MAMA Ther e' s not hi ng you can l earn f r om t hat gobshi t e t hatcan hel p you i n l i f e. The ci r cus i s dyi ng. The act sdi e ever y ni ght . Fi ve peopl e l ast ni ght i n t he audi ence
t her e was, and I t hi nk t hey wer e t her e j ust t o keep dr y. Take i t f r om me, t her e' s no f ut ure f or r i ngmast er s.
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OLLI E Ther e i s i n Amer i ca.
MAMAWho wi t h?
OLLI EBar num and Bai l ey.
MAMAWho i n J aysus' s name ar e t hey?
OLLI E( Amer i cani sed)
Onl y t he bi ggest ci r cus i n t own Ma!
MAMAAway wi t h your nonsense.
OLLI EI ' m s er i ous!
MAMAWhat have you got t hat t hey woul d want ?
OLLI E( Ref i ned)
My accent Madr e.
MAMAWhat accent ?
( Spot t i ng t he Ri ngmast ermannequi n, OLLI E grabs t he TOPHAT, pl aces i t on hi s head,
j umps ont o hi s bed, and i n hi sbest upper - cl ass bogman I r i sh,he l aunches i nt o a sol i l oquy. )
OLLI E. . . LADI ES AND GENTLEMEN, BOYS AND GI RLS. STRAI GHT FROM
HUNGARY TO YOUR DOORSTEP COMES A FEAT YOU HAVE NEVERSEEN BEFORE WI TH YOUR OWN EYES. WHI LE BLI NDFOLDED, HUGO THE MAGNI FI CENT WI LL THROW HI S EI GHT I NCH BLADED KNI VESAT THE REVOLVI NG BOARD WHI LE HI S ASSI STANT, THEBEAUTI FUL AND CHARMI NG HYACI NTH I S STRAPPED TO I T. YOUWI LL SQUI RM AS EACH KNI FE THAT HUGO THROWS STI CKS I N THEBOARD, AND NOT I N HI S ASSI STANT, THE BEAUTI FUL ANDCHARMI NG HYACI NTH. . .
( OLLI E emul at es t he sound of acr owd cheer i ng and appl audi ngas he cl oses hi s eyes. )
( RACHEL ent er s unseen, andst ands at t he ent r ance,
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si l ent l y wat chi ng Ol l i e' schar ade. )
OLLI E. . . MAY WE HAVE A DRUM ROLL PLEASE! . . .
( OLLI E emul at es t he sound of adr um r ol l and i mi t at es t hekni f e t hr ower by mi mi ng hi sact i ons. Wi t h each kni f et hr own, OLLI E emanat es an" Ooh! " sound. Af t er t he t hi r dpl ayed out i nst ance Ol l i evi si bl y squi r ms uncomf or t abl yand i s si l ence. A f ew moment spass. OLLI E t ur ns d. s. )
OLLI E. . . LADI ES AND GENTLEMEN, BOYS AND GI RLS. THEMAGNI FI CENT HUGO AND HI S BEAUTI FUL AND CHARMI NG. . . HYAER EX- ASSI STANT! . . .
( OLLI E bows as i f accept i ngappl ause. Thor oughl yent er t ai ned, RACHEL whol e-hear t edl y appl auds Ol l i e asMama l ooks on. OLLI E t r i es t ohi de hi s embar r assment f r omRachel . )
RACHELBRAVO! BRAVO! You shoul d be wor ki ng her e wi t h t hatt al ent . You' d gi ve ol d man Der mot Dool ey a r un f or hi smoney.
OLLI EDer mot ' s not bad. He s got t he gi f t of t he gab.
RACHELWhen he r emember s t o put hi s t eet h i n.
OLLI EI woul dn' t want t o t ake hi s j ob f r om hi m.
( OLLI E pl aces t he TOP HAT ont he t abl e. )
RACHEL The way he smokes and dr i nks, i n anot her year he' l l handi t t o you f r om hi s cof f i n. I t ' s about t i me we had agood l ooki ng f el l ah i n t he cent r e of t he r i ng.Especi al l y, a f el l ah as handsome as you.
MAMAWhere' s hi s medi ci ne?
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RACHELWhassat Mi ssus?
MAMAOl l i e' s medi ci ne, wher e i s i t ?
RACHELAh, I f or got t o go down t o t he chemi st .
MAMADi dn' t I t el l you he was si ck? Di dn' t I ?
RACHELI ' m sor r y, I t sl i pped my mi nd.
MAMA
I t was a si mpl e r equest .RACHEL
I got a cust omer at t he l ast mi nut e who pai d ext r a f orhi s f or t une. . .
( To OLLI E). . . not as handsome as you Ol l i e, but i nt er est i ng enought o make me f or get t o r un t he er r and f or your mot her .
MAMASt op your dr i bbl e and don' t be maki ng eyes at my son.
RACHEL You shoul dn' t be keepi ng a st r ong l ooki ng f el l ah l i ket hi s away f r om t he women, mi ssus.
MAMAEnough of your sweet and st i cki l y t ongue. You shoul dconcent r at e mor e on your f or t une t el l i ng t han yourf or t une hunt i ng.
RACHELNow now mi ssus. A gi r l can l ook, can' t she?
MAMA J ust keep your sel f - i ndul gent i nt er est s t o your sel f .Pl ease don t l et me keep you f r om your chor es.
RACHELI m on a br eak. . .
( smi l i ng at OLLI E). . . You shoul d l et me t el l your f or t une somet i me.
OLLI ENo need. My f ut ur e i s appar ent l y. . .
( Dej ect ed). . . sewn up.
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RACHEL J ust t akes t he r i ght moment t o l et t he seams out . . .
( Smi l i ng, she t ur ns t o Mama. ). . . Do you have t he l i on t amer ' s t r ouser s r eady mi ssus?
MAMAUnl i ke some her e, I never f or get t o do my chor es and Idon t t ake br eaks.
( MAMA r et r i eves t he t r ouser sf r om her sewi ng t abl e. )
RACHEL( To OLLI E)
I magi ne sl appi ng a l i on i n t he mout h t hen t ur ni ng your
back on hi m t o pi ck up your whi p. He was l ucky t o getaway wi t h j ust t or n t r ouser s. I was onl y wi t h hi m t heni ght bef or e and sai d he had bet t er wat ch out f or shar pobj ect s .
MAMA You t ol d hi m t hi s i n your car avan?. .
RACHEL( Bl ankl y)
. . . I n hi s . . . Tel l i ng hi m what I saw i n hi s f ut ur e.
OLLI E You r eal l y can t el l peopl e' s f or t unes?
RACHELAccur at el y.
OLLI EHow do you do i t ?
RACHELA gi f t f r om God.
MAMA
A gi f t of t he gab. Gypsy gab.RACHEL
We pr ef er " I t i ner ant s" t hese days, mi ssus.
MAMAI t i ner ant s, Gypsi es. Same meani ng f or t hi eves!
RACHELWe do have some r espect abl e busi nessmen among ourpeopl e.
MAMALi ke t he ones t hat bl ackt op your dr i veways?
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RACHEL
A nobl e ser vi ce.
MAMANobl e? HA! A good choi ce of wor ds. You gi ve ' em yourmoney and t hey l ay down a bl ack sur f ace on your dr i vewayt hat dr i es and peel s of f t he mi nut e t hey l eave wi t h yourcash i n t hei r hands. They' r e nobl e al r i ght , l i ke t heol d r ul i ng cl ass. They t r ead on t he mi sf or t unat e onesst upi d enough t o f al l f or t hey' r e si l ver y t ongues.
RACHELI t s amazi ng how l i vi ng i n a ci r cus can make you anexper t on l ayi ng asphal t , i sn' t i t ?
MAMAI never f orget t hose t hat do me wr ong.
RACHELNow now mi ssus. A f ew can r ui n t he r eput at i on of many.
Such i s l i f e. . .
( Changi ng t he subj ect )Ol l i e. . . woul d you l i ke me t o r ead your pal m?
OLLI EI can' t af f or d i t . .
RACHELI woul dn' t t hi nk of char gi ng you.
MAMA You' l l be l at e del i ver i ng t he t r ouser s.
OLLI E( Def i ant l y)
. . . Okay.
RACHELWel l gi ve me a l ook at your hand t hen. . . Hmmm. . .
Ther e' s your l ove l i ne. . . Says you' l l meet someone youl i ke ver y much. . . What st r ong hands you have.
OLLI EI ' ve done a bi t of manual wor k on bui l di ng si t es i n myt i me.
RACHELI t shows, i t shows.
OLLI EWhat el se do you see?
RACHEL( Looki ng i nt o hi s eyes)
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A l ot .
OLLI EI n my pal m.
RACHELOh. . . l et me see. . . I see you bei ng f r ee of anybur dens and si ckness.
OLLI EHear t hat Mama?
MAMABe car ef ul or you' l l be f r ee of your s avi ngs. Keep yourot her hand i n your pocket .
OLLI EI gnor e her Rachel . What about my l i f e l i ne? Wi l l I l i vea l ong l i f e?
RACHELI t ' s not cl ear . . . You seem t o have par al l el l i f e l i neson t he same hand.
OLLI EWhat does t hat mean?
RACHELI don' t know. I t coul d mean t hat you have a choi ceor . . .
OLLI ELet me see. . . That ' s j ust a scar I got on a bui l di ngsi t e once.
RACHELA war wound? You her o, you. . .
( Pul l i ng OLLI E' S hand t o herl i ps. )
. . . Di d anyone ki ss i t bet t er f or you?( MAMA j umps up and f l i ngs t het r ouser s at Rachel . )
MAMAHere! Get t hese out of her e. Take t hem back t o yourl over and t el l hi m not t o keep hi s money i n t hat pocketanymor e as t her e ar e more t han l i on s cl aws t r yi ng t or i p i t out .
RACHEL
Lover ? Whaa! ?MAMA
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Why can' t you gi ve me some encour agement ? I ' m t i r ed ofyou chasi ng ever yone away t hat want s t o get t o know me.
MAMAI ' m onl y t r yi ng t o pr ot ect you, t hat ' s al l . You' r e myson. I have a r i ght t o pr ot ect my son.
OLLI EI m a gr own man. You can' t hi de me f r om t he wor l d.
MAMAWhen i t comes t o peopl e l i ke her , I can and I wi l l !
OLLI EI f you keep doi ng i t , I ' l l l eave! I ' l l r un of f and
maybe I won' t t el l you wher e I ' l l be. I ' l l hi de f r omyou, you' l l be al l al one. Then what wi l l you do, eh? Then what wi l l you do?
MAMAAh now, you' r e get t i ng worked up.
OLLI E That ' s r i ght , I am.
MAMACome on, I ' l l make you a ni ce cup of t ea. . .
OLLI EI don' t want one.
MAMAI ' m j ust t r yi ng t o t el l you about women. They ar e onl yi nt er est ed i n secur i t y i n a r el at i onshi p. They want t obe l ooked af t er by a man.
OLLI EI can do t hat . .
MAMA
. . A man t hat works! . . . Women al so want heal t hychi l dr en. Ther e' s t oo bi g a r i sk wi t h your af f l i cti ont o be havi ng l i t t l e ones. You mi ght pass i t on. Oh Iadmi t t here ar e t i mes when I ' d l ove t o see t he back ofyou but wher e woul d you go? Ti s bet t er of f y' ar e wi t hme, your ' ol mot her . You' ve onl y one i n t hi s l i f e, youknow. Ti s bet t er t o enj oy t he t i me whi l e I ' m st i l l par tof t hi s wor l d. Not many year s l ef t now. You' l l havepl ent y of t i me f or shenani gans l at er .
OLLI E You exhaust me. I ' m goi ng t o l ay down.
MAMAI ' l l br i ng you some t ea.
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Ah sur e, wasn' t your f aul t . Boys wi l l be boys I supposebut your f at her want ed t o t ake you and gui de you and Iwoul dn' t have any of i t . No, I knew what was best f ormy Ol l i e. I r ai sed enough of yous t o know what wasbest . He washed hi s hands of any r esponsi bi l i t y f oryou, af t er t hat . Sai d i f you wer e t o be coddl ed t hen hewoul dn' t accept t he bl ame f or how you t ur ned out . . .Somet i mes I wi sh I had gi ven i n t o hi m. I was ast ubbor n woman i n t hose days. I suppose t hat was whatcaused t he pr obl ems bet ween us. He sai d a woman had herpl ace i n t he f ami l y and i f she want ed t o be t he man t oo,t hen t he man had not hi n' t o come home f or . Suppose hewas r i ght i n a way. Took t o t he pub and spent t he r ent .So her e we ar e. . . l i vi ng wi t h t he t hi eves and f r eaks andwi l d ani mal s and. . .
( Gl anci ng at Ol l i e. ). . . deaf ear s. You r e asl eep.
( MAMA unpl ugs t he ket t l e andt i di es up her wor k. Onceagai n, she l ooks over t o Ol l i e,sl eepi ng soundl y, t hen gr absher Rosar y beads, unf ol ds herbed and kneel s at i t s si de. )
. . . God have mercy, t he knees ar e not what t hey used t obe. . .
( Bl essi ng her sel f , she t akes adeep br eat h and si ghs. )
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( OTTO cocki l y st ands at t hef oot of Ol l i e' s bed)
OTTO. . . You can' t get away f r om me, mat ey. . . Cl osi ng youreyes won' t ' el p you. . . Ol l i e, Ol l i e, Ol l i e, Ol l i e. . .
( No r esponse)
( Qui cker ). . . Ol l i e, Ol l i e, Ol l i e, Ol l i e!
OLLI EFr ee, f r ee!
OTTO
Nah mat ey. You ai nt . You can' t hi de f r om me. . Ol l i eoxen- f ur r ee. . .
( OTTO at t empt s t o pul l t hebedsheet s f r om Ol l i e. OLLI Equi ckl y pul l s t hem back overhi s head. )
. . . What ' s t he mat t er , l i t t l e boy? Af r ai d of t he dar kar e we?
OLLI EGo away!
OTTOBut I want you t o pl ay wi f me.
OLLI EI don' t want t o.
OTTOOh, i s t hat anyway t o t r eat your mat e, mat ey?. . .
OLLI EI m as l eep.
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her head i n.
OLLI EShe' s my mot her f or Chr i st ' s sake.
OTTOI am so t ouched. The l oyal t y of i t al l . Li ke a dog,you ar e. J ust l i ke your br ot her wi f t hat wi f e of hi s.Get ki cked ar ound al l your l i f e and you' r e st i l l happyt o see her come out of t he t oi l et . . . I t ' s a dog youshoul d have been born, not a man. . . i f t hat ' s what youconsi der your sel f t hese days.
OLLI ELeave me al one.
OTTOOh, he' s get t i n br ave now, he i s. Shoul d save some oft hat f or t he ol d ox.
OLLI EWhy do you keep cal l i ng her t hat ?
OTTOCause she' s got t he bal l s i n t hi s f ami l y. Coul dn' t cal lher j ust "cow, " coul d I . She' s got t he bal l s t o t el lyou how t o l i ve your l i f e. YOUR LIFE ! And you l i e downand r ol l over cause you ai n' t got what i t t akes t o st i ckup f or your sel f . You woul dn' t get t r odden on so much i fyou spoke up f or your sel f a bi t mor e.
OLLI EI do! . . . al l t he t i me.
OTTOBut you back down, mat ey. You back down! Ti me t ochange, spor t . God knows, she won' t ever . . . She' schased ever yone away t hat ever got cl ose t o ya. I f t heyconst i t ut ed a f r et , t hey wer e bani shed t o Never Ol l i el and. . . But . . . you s t i l l s t i ck up f or her l i ke t he ol dl oyal mut t you ar e.
OLLI EShe' s my mot her .
OTTOShe' s your nemesi s, ol d son. She i s your adver sary,your ar chenemy, your downf al l , your r ui n, your undoi ng.
OLLI EShe' s j ust over - pr ot ect i ve, t hat s al l .
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OTTOOver - what ! ?. . . Spar e me. What am I goi ng t o do wi f ya?Hat e her , you shoul d, but you don' t see what she' s l i ke.She want s you al l t o her sel f , she does. . . Remember t hatf l ea bi t t en dog you used t o have? Woul d onl y answer t oyou, r emember ? St uck l i ke gl ue, you t wo was. Mumsi e got
j eal ous and l ef t hi m out t o bi t e t he post man."Not hi n l ef t t o do but put hi m down, Ol l i e, " she says."Vi ci ous, he i s, " she says. What ' s Ol l i e do? Hedoesn' t have t he " r eadi es" t o t ake hi m t o t he vet , so hedi gs a pi t , t hr ows t he mut t i n i t and st ones hi m t odeat h. . . Never quest i oned her - di d ya.
OLLI EI loved t hat dog.
OTTOGet t he pi ctur e?. . . She' s st i l l doi ng i t , mat ey. Thi st i me i t ' s t hat ni ce bi t of st uf f who t el l s peopl e' sf or t unes. Ar e you goi ng t o st and by and l et mumsi e doi t agai n?
OLLI EI don' t l et her do anyt hi ng. . . Under st and?. . . Shedoesn' t r ul e me.
OTTOWho. . ar e. . you. . ki ddi ng? You even need her per mi ssi on t ogo wee wee!
OLLI ENonsense.
OTTOOh dear . Br ai nwashed i s what you are, br ai nwashed." Mumsi e, can I do vi s, can I do vat ?"
OLLI EI don' t have t o ask her per mi ssi on f or anyt hi ng.
OTTO
" Can I get up, can I be excused f r om t he t abl e? Can youwi pe my ar se?"
OLLI E You' r e bei ng r i di cul ous.
OTTO"Can I go boi nk l i t t l e Rachel ?"
OLLI ESt op!
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OTTO. . . Hey, what ' s she l i ke?. . . t he f or t une t el l er . . . what ' sshe l i ke i n t he. . . sack ?
OLLI EDon' t be di r t y.
OTTO You ' ave. . . you know. .
OLLI ENO! !
OTTOA ni ce l i t t l e go- er l i ke her and you haven' t done i t ?. . .Er e, you' r e not a. . .
OLLI ENot a what ?. . .
OTTO You know. . . a f ai r y.
OLLI ENO!
OTTO Then you' r e a. .
OLLI E. . A what ?
OTTO. . . Oh. . .
( OTTO st agger s back, cl ut chi nghi s chest i n mi mi cked shock. )
. . . Oh! . . . Oh! ! ! . . . OLL- LI E! Me hear t ! The shock! Thedi sbel i ef . . . The surpr i s e. . .
( Knowi ng what Ot t o i s
r ef erenci ng, OLLI E j umps up andpaces t he f l oor , t r yi ng t o f i nda pl ace t o hi de hi sembar r assment . )
. . . You' r e a. .
OLLI EShut up!
OTTO You ar e! YOU ARE A. .
OLLI E. . STOP! LEAVE ME ALONE! . . .
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( OLLI E shakes t he cagevi ol ent l y. )
OTTO( Pr oudl y). . . I l ove t r ut h.
OLLI EI hat e you!
OTTONot me, ol d pal . I ' m not t he one who i s hol di ng youdown. I want you t o get your end away. . .
( SPOT OUT. )
( Poi nt i ng at MAMA). . . t her e' s your pr obl em, mat ey. Ther e' s t he sour ce ofyour conf i nement . . . Ther e' s t he f oot of r epr essi onst andi n on your head. . .
( OTTO gr abs Mama' s r osar y beadsand mi mi cs her . )
. . . Del i ver us not i nt o t empt at i on but del i ver us f r om
( OTTO backs up i nt o hi smannequi n posi t i on. )
. . . t her e' s your del i ver ance my son. . .
( Maki ng t he si gn of t he cr oss. ). . . Go wi t h God.
( OTTO f r eezes i nt o hi smannequi n. OLLI E scr eams andshakes t he cage agai n bef or el eapi ng out of i t . MAMA awakesf r om Ol l i e' s scr eam and si t sup, al ar med at t he sound. )
MAMA
What ' s goi ng on?. . . Ol l i e, what ar e you doi ng?( OLLI E yel l s and r ushes atMAMA. He gr abs her ar ound t het hr oat and shakes hervi ol ent l y. )
OLLI EI T' S ALL YOUR FAULT! I T' S ALL YOUR FAULT!
MAMA( Choki ng)
Ol l . . l i . . . St op.
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OLLI E YOU KEEP CHASI NG THEM ALL AWAY.
MAMA You' r e. . . choki ng. . . me.
OLLI EWHY CAN' T YOU LET ME HAVE A FRI END?
MAMAOl l i e. . . you' r e. . . choki ng your . . . MOTHER! . . . St op. . . pl easest op!
OLLI EWHY CAN' T YOU LET ME DO WHAT I WANT?
MAMA You' r e. . . . ki l l i ng me. . . God hel p me. . . Ican' t . . . br eat he. . .
( Wi t h anot her yel l , OLLI Er el eases hi s gr i p on Mama andt hr ows her down. He t hencr osses t o hi s bed, si t s on t heedge and cups hi s head i n hi shands. MAMA t akes a f ewmoment s t o shake of f t heef f ect s . )
MAMA. . . St . Ant hony, pl ease hel p my son r i d hi msel f of t her age t hat bur ns i nsi de of hi m. He doesn' t know whathe' s doi ng. The poor boy i s not i n cont r ol of hi s sel f .
Hear my pr ayer St . Ant hony. . .
( Bl essi ng her sel f , MAMA r i sesand pr oduces a pi l l bot t l e f r omher bedsi de t abl e. She t ur nsand cr osses t o Ol l i e. Seei ngher appr oachi ng, OLLI E t ur nsaway, unabl e t o f ace hi s
mot her . ) Ti s al r i ght , Ol l i e me boy. You di dn' t know what youwer e doi ng. I ' m not hur t . You di dn' t hur t me. Ti sal r i ght , St . Ant hony wi l l hel p you. . .
( MAMA t akes a coupl e of pi l l sf r om t he bot t l e. )
. . . Her e! Take t hese, t hey' l l hel p you cal m down. I t ' sokay, t ake t hem. Ti s not hi n but Val i um. The doct orpr escri bes i t f or me ner ves. They' l l hel p you t oo. . .
( OLLI E t akes t he pi l l s and
swal l ows t hem. )
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MAMA( cont i nui ng)
Ther e you ar e. Now l i e down and go back t o sl eep. Toomuch exci t ement f or one day, now. . . I ' m al r i ght , youdi dn' t hur t me. . .
( OLLI E l i es down and cl oses hi seyes as Mama cover s hi m. MAMAt akes some mor e pi l l s f r om t hebot t l e and r et ur ni ng t o herbed, she washes t hem down wi t ha dr i nk of wat er . )
. . . Me ner ves ar e shat t er ed. I ' m dr ai ned of al lener gy. . .
( MAMA l i es back down and dr i f t s
of f t o s l eep. ). . . Ti s t oo much f or a woman my age t o cope wi t , i t i s.
( A f ew moment s pass t hen OTTOs t i r s agai n. )
OTTO( Qui et l y)
Cowar dy, cowar dy, cust ar d. . .
( Louder ). . . Cowar dy, cowar dy, cust ar d. . .
( OTTO si t s at t he f oot ofOl l i e' s bed. )
. . . Ol l i e Gol l y, puddi n and pi e, choked hi s mum and madeher cr y. When hi s mum coul d no l onger shout , Ol l i eGol l y chi ckened out . . .
( OLLI E does not awaken. ). . . I f you want a l i f e mat ey, you got t a t ake car e ofbusi ness . . .
( Si ngi ng). . . You got t a be me! . . .
( OTTO shakes Ol l i e. ). . . Oy! Wake up!
( OLLI E hal f - awakes. )
OLLI ELeave me al one.
( OTTO st ands on Ol l i e' s bed. )
OTTO You need a r i ght proper ki ck i n t he ar se mat ey. . . You
coul dn' t go t hr ough wi t h i t , coul d you?. . . Spi nel ess,t hat ' s what you i s. J el l y l i ver ed. No bal l s, cause t heox has t hem.
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OLLI EPl ease go away.
OTTO( Shadow boxi ng)
Ther e' s st i l l t i me mat ey. . . Best out t a t hr ee?. . .
( OTTO t hr ows t he r osar y beadsat Ol l i e. )
. . . Er e, gi ve her t he l as t r i t es .
( i gnor ed)Oh I see! Changed your mi nd, have you? Mummy' s l i t t l eboy gawn sof t , has he?. . . YOU' LL NEVER HAVE A NORMAL
LI FE WI TH HER AROUND! . . .( i ndi f f er ent )
Look, i f you want a woman l i ke Rachel , you' r e goi ng t ohave t o cut t he ' ol apr on st r i ngs. . . I ' m onl y t r yi ng t ohel p, you know. A man must have a l i f e, f r ee f r om hi smot her ' s consci ence. Can' t be br east - f ed al l yourl i f e. . . I sn' t Rachel wor t h i t ?
( i ndi gnant ). . . You have hur t my f eel i ngs, mat ey. I ' m your onl yf r i end, you know.
( Yawni ng). . . Oh gr eat ! Now you' ve got t en me t i r ed t oo. . .
( He yawns agai n). . . What am I goi ng t o do wi f ya?. . .
( OTTO get s of f Ol l i e' s bed andr et ur ns t o hi s mannequi npos i t i on. )
. . . You s l eep l i t t l e Ol l i e. . . Ot t o can wai t . . . Got al lt he t i me i n t he wor l d mat ey. . . Al l t he t i me, i n your
wor l d. . .( A CLAP OF THUNDER and A FLASHOF LI GHTNI NG make t he onst agel i ght s f l i cker f or a f ewmoment s. )
( Bl ackout )
END OF ACT ONE.
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ACT TWO.
( The CALI OPE CI RCUS MUSI C i sonce agai n hear d i n t he b. g. )
( Li ght s up)
( I t i s t he next mor ni ng. Thest or m out si de has ceased, andal l i s cal m, moment ar i l y.OLLI E i s st i l l as l eep i n hi sbed but Mama i s not t o be seen.A f ew moment s pass t hen RACHEL
hur r i edl y ent er s car r yi ng apaper bag. )
RACHELSor r y I ' m l at e Mi ssus. . . Mi ssus?
( Seei ng t hat Mama i s not t her e,she crosses t o Ol l i e t o f i ndout i f he i s awake. )
( Qui et l y). . . Ol l i e. . .
( OLLI E does not st i r f r om hi ssl umber . )
. . . A heavy sl eeper i s a bad l i st ener . . .
( Taki ng advant age of not bei ngseen, she wander s ar ound t het ent , snoopi ng i nt o Mama' scost umes and mat er i al . Af t erhol di ng sever al pi eces agai nsther body, she not i ces t he LARGECHEST si t t i ng on t he f l oor . )
. . . What has Mi ssus got her e t hen?. . .
( RACHEL t r i es t o open t he l i dbut not i ces a l ock pr event i ngher f r om br eaki ng i n. )
. . . Locked i s i t Mi ssus?. . . Must be keepi ng somet hi ngval uabl e i n t her e. . .
( Undet er r ed, she pul l s ahai rpi n f rom her hai r andpr oceeds t o pi ck t he l ock. )
. . . No l ock can keep a r esour cef ul gi r l l i ke me out . . .
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OLLI E
She' d never l et me.
RACHELShe woul dn' t need t o know. . .
( She moves cl oser t o hi m. ). . . I f you coul d do me t hat smal l f avour , I ' d be ever sogr at ef ul . . .
( Thi s l ast comment makes OLLI Ef eel uncomf or t abl e and he showsi t . RACHEL senses hi sdi scomf or t and eases up. )
. . . Don' t wor r y; I ' m not goi ng t o st eal t hem. . .
( She cr osses t o t he chest . ). . . I m j ust cur i ous and woul d l ove a l ook. Li s ten, Ihave t o r ush of f . Ther e s a mat i nee t oday and busi nesst o be had. . . I l l l eave t he medi ci ne her e. . .
( RACHEL pl aces t he bag on t het abl e. )
. . . By t he way. . . why do you need t he medi ci ne?. . .
OLLI EFor . . . headaches.
RACHEL That ' s a l ot of medi ci ne f or headaches. What woul d ast r ong, handsome man l i ke your sel f be want i ng wi t h somany pi l l s? Come on, Ol l i e. What ar e t hey f or?
OLLI EI need t hem t o l i ve a nor mal l i f e.
RACHELAr e you i l l ?
OLLI E
Not hi ng ser i ous except t hat i t keeps me f r om doi ngt hi ngs I ' d l i ke t o do, you know, l i ke goi ng i t al one andseeki ng my f or t une el sewhere.
RACHELNot hi ng shoul d get i n t he way of a man seeki ng hi sf or t une.
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OLLI EMy mot her says t hat I woul dn' t sur vi ve wi t hout mymedi ci ne.
RACHELSo t ake a year ' s suppl y wi t h you and go. Take t enyear ' s wor t h!
OLLI EI ' d be det ai ned i n ever y por t i n Amer i ca by men wi t hbadges t hi nki ng I was smuggl i ng i l l i ci t dr ugs.
RACHELAmer i ca?
OLLI E
My br ot her l i ves t her e.RACHEL
What woul d you do over t her e?
OLLI E J oi n a ci r cus, I suppose. I t ' s t he onl y wor l d I r eal l yknow. You know, somet i mes I dr eam of bei ng i n t hecent r e r i ng i nt r oduci ng al l t he act s wi t h t he spot l i ghti l l umi nat i ng me i n my cost ume, and peopl e listening t ome; act ual l y l i st eni ng t o me; hangi ng on my ever y wor d.
RACHELI t hi nk you' d make a gr eat r i ngmast er .
OLLI EI ' l l never get t he chance st ayi ng her e.
RACHEL. . . Suppose you coul d go t o Amer i ca. Woul d you go onyour own or woul d you per haps consi der a t r avel l i ngcompani on?
OLLI E You woul d want t o go wi t h me?
( RACHEL smi l es agr eeabl y)
OLLI EWhy?
RACHELFor t he advent ur e, I suppose. J ust t hi nk. We coul d setup shop i n a ci r cus as a st ar t . You coul d be t her i ngmast er and I coul d t el l f or t unes. Who knows, i n ayear or t wo we coul d be owner s of our own ci r cus.I magi ne our names i n l i ght s. " CI RCUS OLLI E' . " The west
coast one week, t he east anot her , and al l t he t ownsbet ween. What do you t hi nk?
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OLLI E
Sounds wonder f ul .
RACHELWe' d need some money t o get t here. I don' t have muchsaved.
OLLI ENor do I and I have not hi ng t o sel l t o make any.
RACHELBut t her e i s s omet hi ng you have or r at her your mot herhas t hat coul d be sol d t o get us t her e and keep us f or awhi l e.
OLLI E. . . J esus, I coul dn' t . She' d never f or gi ve me. I j ustcoul dn' t .
RACHEL You' d be doi ng her a f avour . She t hi nks t hey' r ecur sed. . . Rel i eve her of t hat af f l i ct i on and t ake t hemt o anot her count r y. You coul d buy a l i f et i me ofmedi ci ne wi t h t he money.
OLLI EI don' t know. . . I ' m not sur e.
RACHEL J ust t hi nk of you i n t he cent r e r i ng. . . " LADI ES ANDGENTLEMEN! " . . . I ' d be besi de you al l t he way. Maybesomeday we coul d, you know. . you woul dn' t need yourmot her t o t ake car e of you. I ' d be t her e.
OLLI E Yeah?
( RACHEL cosi es up t o hi m. )
RACHEL
Yeah. I t hi nk you ar e l ovel y and al l i t t akes i s at ur n of a key. Mr . Ri ngmast er . . .
OLLI E. . . Yes. . . Yes! You' r e absol ut el y r i ght .
( They move cl oser as i f t oki ss. )
MAMAGET OFF MY SON' S BED!
( RACHEL j umps up as MAMA st or ms
i n. )What ar e you doi ng?
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RACHEL
Not hi ng mi ssus.
OLLI ENot hi ng Mam!
MAMA. . Where were you t hi s mor ni n?
RACHELI r an a l i t t l e l at e.
MAMAI had t o do your wor k. I t ' s bad enough me f i xi ng al lt he cost umes wi t hout havi ng t o del i ver t hem t oo.
RACHELSor r y mi ssus, I had t o go back f or Ol l i e' s medi ci ne.
MAMADon' t gi ve me any of your Gi psy l i es and excuses. Youpr obabl y coul dn' t pr y your sel f away f r om your l over .
RACHELMI SSUS! I have no l over !
MAMAOr maybe you want ed t o be al one wi t h my son. You r e al lt he same your t ype - can' t t r ust any of yous. . .
( Mot i oni ng wi t h her ar m). . . Get t he hel l out of my t ent ! Go on, get out youl i t t l e t r amp!
OLLI EMam! You' r e bei ng t oo har d on Rachel .
MAMA You haven' t hear d anyt hi ng yet .
OLLI EDon' t st ar t . Pl ease don' t st ar t .
RACHELI t s al r i ght Ol l i e, I ' l l be goi ng anyway.
MAMANot soon enough. . . and l eave my son al one.
RACHELNever t ouched hi m mi ssus.
( RACHEL l ooks at Ol l i e andwi nks. )
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MAMA
You won' t be sat i sf i ed t i l l you' ve sl ept wi t h ever y mani n t hi s ci r cus, wi l l you? What ' s t he mat t er , my son t hef i nal conquest ?
OLLI EMAM! Rachel i s not l i ke t hat . She' s a ni ce per son.She honest l y l i kes me. You have no r i ght t o t r eat herl i ke t hat .
MAMA Thi s gob- shi t e doesn' t gi ve a r at ' s ar se about you.She' s t oyi ng wi t h you.
OLLI E
You r e wr ong! Rachel i s ser i ousl y i nt er est ed i n me.MAMA
My poor son. You haven' t t he exper i ence I do. I knowher ki nd. They' r e onl y i nt er est ed i n what you can gi vet hem and when t hey get i t t hey move on t o t he next pooreej i t s t upi d enough t o f al l i nt o t hei r spel l .
OLLI ENot Rachel !
MAMAShe' l l hex ya!
RACHELI ' m a f or t une t el l er mi ssus, not a wi t ch.
MAMA You r e a f or t une hunt er .
OLLI EShe' s not l i ke t hat . She want s t o go t o Amer i ca wi t hme.
MAMA
That r i ght ?OLLI E
Yes. We' r e goi ng t o Amer i ca. Rachel t el l her .
RACHEL That ' s r i ght .
MAMA. . . I over hear d you aski ng what t he medi ci ne was f or .Shal l I t el l you?
OLLI EMAM DON' T! Pl ease don' t .
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MAMAWe' l l see wher e you' l l be goi ng t hen.
OLLI EDON' T!
MAMA. . . My son has f i t s .
OLLI E( r eel i ng away)
NOOO!
RACHEL
Fi t s ?MAMA
You know what t hey ar e l i ke? Have you ever seen a manwr i t hi ng ar ound on t he f l oor wi t f oam comi ng out of hi smout h, have you?. . hi s body l ocked i n hi s br ai n' ssei zur e, not consci ous of what ' s happeni ng ar ound hi m. . .
RACHELI ' d bet t er be goi ng.
( OLLI E bur i es hi s head underhi s pi l l ow. )
MAMA. . . and when he wakes up, he doesn' t r emember a t hi ng. . .
Any ki nd of exci t ement can t r i gger i t . . . How woul d youl i ke t o be i n t he mi ddl e of t he t hr ows of passi on, andsuddenl y, t he man on t op of you st ar t s f oami ng anddr ool i ng at t he mout h? Coul d you handl e t hat ?. . . Myson can never be nor mal . Even hi s medi ci ne can' tguar ant ee a l i f e f r ee of at t acks. . . Do you want t hat asone of your t r ophi es?
( The pi t y i n RACHEL' S eyes,
r ef l ect Mama' s vi ct or y. RACHELbegi ns t o back away. )
RACHELI was j ust t r yi ng t o be f r i endl y, mi ssus.
MAMAGo and be f r i endl y wi t h t he l i ons. Now get out !
( MAMA gr abs RACHEL by t he ar mand pushes her t owar d t heexi t . )
OLLI ERachel , pl ease don' t go.
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( RACHEL t akes a f ew st eps, t hent ur ns t o f ace Mama. )
RACHELHe' d be bet t er of f wi t h a l i f e of f i t s t han wi t h a l i f eof bei ng hel d down by you.
( MAMA angr i l y l unges at RACHELwho t ur ns and exi t s. )
RACHELHel p! A madwoman!
( MAMA f ol l ows and exi t s. We
hear a MUFFLED BUT VOCI FEROUSARGUMENT emanat i ng f r om o. s. Af ew moment s pass as OLLI E si t s,sobbi ng on hi s bed. )
OTTOHAW HAW HAW HAW! . . .
( OTTO r ai ses hi s head but t hi st i me he i s dr essed as t he
j est er mannequi n. He smi l eswi ckedl y. )
. . . HAW HAW HAW HAW! . . .
( He pr oduces t hr ee bal l s f r omhi s pocket and begi ns t o j uggl et hem. )
( Sl ower ). . . HAW HAW HAW HAW! . . .
( Whi l e j uggl i ng, he cr osses t oOl l i e' s bed. )
OTTO
. . . HAW HAW HAW HAW! . . . Ol l i e has f i t s , Ot t o hasf i t s! . . . f i t s of l aught er ! HAW HAW HAW. .
OLLI E( J umpi ng up)
. . STOP I T! STOP I T! !
( OTTO dr ops t he bal l s. )
OTTOAw, now l ook what you made me go and do. . .
( OLLI E gr abs one of t he bal l sand hur l s i t t owar d t he exi t . ). . . What ' s t he mat t er l i t t l e boy? Can' t t ake i t ?
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Onl y I can t ake car e of hi m. . . No- one wi l l t ake hi maway f r om hi s mot her . ". . . Get t he pi ct ur e?
OLLI E( Dr essi ng)I must st op her .
( OLLI E at t empt s t o l eave. )
OTTOSTAY WHERE YOU ARE! . . Do you want t o l ook weak i nRachel ' s eyes, aski ng per mi ssi on f r om Mumsi e t o see her ?Oh t hat woul d undeni abl y be wor se. Ol l i e, Ol l i e me ' olchi na. Don' t l et t he hor mones get i n t he way of cl earand r eal t hought .
OLLI E( Emot i onal l y)I WANT HER!
OTTO Tee hee hee! The vi r gi n' s hor ny. . .
( OTTO br eaks i nt o asi ni ne andt aunt i ng l aught er . He st ar t st o r eci t e. )
. . . Si ng a song of si xpence a pocket f ul l of r ye,l ovel y l i t t l e Rachel maki ng Ol l i e cry,she bat t ed her eyel ashesand t hen began t o si ngoh ar en' t I a dai nt y di sh t o set bef or e a ki ng.
OLLI EShut up!
OTTO( st i l l r eci t i ng)
. . The ki ng was i n hi s par l our count i ng out hi s money The queen was i n t he ki t chen maki ng bread and honey Then i n cr ept l i t t l e Rachel and t i p- t oed t o t he ki ngSayi ng, t hat wi l l be j ust t went y pounds f or a qui ck t wo
mi nut e f l i ng!OLLI E
STOP I T! STOP STOP STOP! ! !
OTTOOo. . kay, mi st ah never got hi s end away. Have i t yourway. Mum's t he word.
OLLI EI ' m j ust l i ke anyone el se. I want t he same t hi ngsever yone want s; happi ness, l ove. . . a f ami l y of my own.
Why can' t I have t hose t hi ngs? Why can' t I be normal ?OTTO
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Mum's t he wor d.
OLLI EShe st ops me f r om doi ng anyt hi ng I want .
OTTO The ol d ox.
OLLI EShe cont i nues t o hol d me down.
OTTO You ar e so r i ght - so r i ght .
OLLI EWi t h her ar ound, I can' t l i ve a nor mal l i f e.
OTTOI don' t know what t o say. I t ' s pi t i f ul .
OLLI E( pl ot t i ng)
. . . She must be st opped.
OTTOBi ngo!
( OTTO cocks hi s head as hehear s somet hi ng appr oachi ng. )
MAMA( of f - s tage)
STAY UP YOUR OWN END!
( OTTO pr ances l i ke a hor se,ar ound Ol l i e. )
OTTO( I n a Shakespear i an st yl e)
. . . and yonder f eet hat h r oad t o bur nas har k I hear t he ox r et ur n!
Ti s l i vel i hood t hou prot ect hat h t oand al l i t t akes i s a t ame of t he shr ew. . .
( OTTO emul at es t he sound of aneck bei ng br oken as he t wi st shi s own. )
( MAMA ent er s, sl i ght l y out ofbr eat h. )
MAMASTAY AWAY FROM THAT BI DDY!
OLLI EWhy di d you do t hat ?
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MAMAShe' s no good f or you.
OLLI EShe l i kes me, Mam. She r eal l y l i kes me.
MAMAShe' s not good enough f or my son!
OTTODej a Vu, what ?
MAMA
I hear d her conni vi ng t o get my pear l s. Do you f or onemoment t hi nk t hat she' d st i l l be ar ound i f she got herhands on t hem? No! She' d be gone; l ock, s t ock andbar r el ; l i ke a st or m; her e one mi nut e, gone t he next .
OLLI EShe want s t o go t o Amer i ca wi t h me.
MAMAI s t hat r i ght ? Oh she' d be of f t o Amer i ca al r i ght , butnot wi t h you.
OLLI EWhat do you mean?
MAMAShe' s t he l i on t amer ' s woman. Do I have t o go on?
OLLI E You' r e l yi ng! You can' t bear t o t hi nk t hat someonewoul d want me or t hat someone t hat woul d t ake me awayf r om her e. . . f r om you.
MAMAShe' s not f or you! That ' s t hat !
OLLI E You can' t t el l me how t o r un my l i f e anymor e.
MAMAAs l ong as I ' m al i ve, I can and I wi l l .
OTTO Ther e' s your cue. Vi va Ol l i e. . .
OLLI E You can' t do t hi s t o me anymor e.
( OLLI E gr abs Mama' s t hr oat . )
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Ever yone i s al ways t el l i ng me what t o do. I ' m si ck ofi t , you hear ? Si ck of i t !
OTTOI know what you mean, ' ol chum.
OLLI E YOU DON' T KNOW WHAT I MEAN! NOBODY DOES!
OTTOOnl y your ol dest mat e, your s t r ul y.
OLLI EWhy can' t you l eave me t o make up my own mi nd?
OTTO
That ' s what I say. . . I ' m wi t h you, mat ey.( RACHEL ent er s. )
RACHELOLLI E! What ' s goi ng on? You can hear t he noi se t ent ent s away.
OTTOBy t he way, I meant t o t el l you ear l i er but Mumsi e' sr i ght . The J i ppo i s a t ea l eaf .
OLLI EWhat ! ?
OTTOA t hi ef !
RACHELAr e you okay?
OTTODi dn' t want t o spoi l your f eel i ngs f or her , mat ey.
OLLI E
She was usi ng me?RACHEL
Ol l i e?
OTTOAf r ai d so, my l i t t l e i nnocent f r i end.
OLLI EBut what about want i ng t o be wi t h me?
OTTO
You' r e not t he l i on t amer ! . . .( OLLI E sl owl y t ur ns t o f ace
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Rachel . )
OLLI E. . . Get out .
RACHELWhat ?
OLLI EGet out , get out . . .
( He moves t owar d her . ). . . GET OUT, YOU WHORE! .
( RACHEL backs up. )
OTTOI am i n heaven. Hoo hoo! Tea l eaf , t ea l eaf .
OLLI E You j ust want ed t he pear l s.
RACHEL You shoul dn' t l i st en t o what your mot her says. .
OLLI EGypsy t hi ef !
OTTO Tea l eaf , t ea l eaf .
RACHELOl l i e we don' t need t he pear l s.
OTTOAnd what do we do wi t h t ea l eaves?
( OLLI E r ushes at Rachel whoscr eams as he grabs her ar m.Pant i ng heavi er now, hi s f acei s cont or t ed i n a madman' s
expr essi on. )RACHEL
LET GO!
OLLI E Thi eves bel ong i n j ai l .
OTTOLock her up and t hr ow away t he key!
( OLLI E dr ags Rachel over t o t he
wagon and l ocks her i nsi de. )RACHEL
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What ar e you doi ng? You' r e scar i ng me.
OLLI EShut up! I ' l l deal wi t h you l at er .
RACHELLET ME OUT!
( RACHEL shakes t he bar s t hent r i es t he door but i s apr i soner . )
OLLI EI n due cour se Gypsy.
OTTO
j i pp. . . j i ppo.OLLI E( mani acal )
J I PPO! HA! HA! HAA!
OTTOCoul dn' t ' ave done t hat bet t er mysel f . Wel come t o t hef ol d, mat ey. . . Ther e' s onl y one t hi ng l ef t now. . .
OLLI E( Exci t ed)
What ? What ?
OTTOLet ' s pl ay hi de and seek wi f mumsi e.
OLLI EHi de and seek?
OTTO You know. . . Ready or not , her e I come. Ready or not ,her e I come. Ready or not , here I come. Ready. .
( Der anged, Ol l i e cr ouches and
begi ns t o st al k. )OLLI E
Yes, yes. . . READY OR NOT, HERE I COME! . . .
( OLLI E sl owl y but del i ber at el yhunt s hi s pr ey. )
( Musi cal l y). . . Wher e ar e you?. . .
( Losi ng hi s r eason)
. . . Wher e ar e you?. . .( Der anged)
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. . . Someone' s t r yi ng t o hi de f r om me, I wonder wher e t heycan be?
OTTOOn t he count of t hr ee. . . One. . . t wo. . .
OLLI E AND OTTO( I n synchr oni zat i on)
. . . t hr ee!
( OLLI E pul l s t he mat er i al of ft he sewi ng t abl e and dr ags MAMAout f r om under t he t abl e. )
MAMANO OLLI E DON' T! PLEASE STOP!
OTTOObj ect i on over r ul ed.
( OLLI E put s bot h hands aroundMAMA' S neck and begi ns t o chokeher . )
MAMASt op i t !
OTTOCan' t . You' ve been f ound. . . gui l - t ay!
MAMALi st en t o me Ol l i e. You' r e not pl ayi ng t he game f ai r l y.
OLLI E( Hal t i ng)
What game?
OTTOCar ef ul , she' s t r i cky.
MAMA
. . . I was f r ee. . . Ol l i e Oxenf r ee. . . saf e. Ther e s al waysa saf e pl ace when you pl ay.
OTTOSaf e? Fr ee? You' r e t he one ' ooh must be f r ee, mat ey.She can' t be. . . and you can' t be f r ee unt i l she' s outof t he. . .
( Si mul at i ng a phot ogr aph bei ngt aken. )
. . . pi ck- cha! . . .
( OLLI E t i ght ens hi s gr i p ar oundMama' s neck. ) Yes. . . Ti ght er , t i ght er ! . . .
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MAMAOl l i e Oxenf ree. . . Ol l i e. . .
RACHELNO! OLLI E DON' T!
( A FLASH OF LI GHTNI NG and CLAPOF THUNDER make t he LI GHTSBLACKOUT. )
OTTO( Si ngi ng)
. . . Ah- l ay- l oo- yah! . . Ah- l ay- l oo- yah! ah- l ay- l oo- yah,ah- l ay- l u- yah, ah- ar - l ay- l oo. . . yah! . . .
( The CALI OPE MUSI C r et ur ns butt hi s t i me sl i ght l y war ped. )
OTTOHAW! HAW! HAW! HAW!
( Li ght s up)
( OTTO has hi s hands ar oundMAMA' s t hr oat but bot h of t hemst and f r ozen i n t i me. OLLI Est ands next t o t hem. RACHEL i sl ayi ng on her back i n t hecage. )
OLLI ELuver l y. A man af t er me own hear t . Vi va Ot t o!
OTTO( Tur ni ng hi s head l i ke avent r i l oqui st s' dummy. )
Wanna go?
OLLI E
( possessed)Woul dn' t want t o i nt er r upt . . .
( OLLI E t ur ns and cr osses t o t hewagon. )
. . . Ot her busi ness t o t ake car e of . Know what I mean?
OTTO You devi l , you. . .
( Si ngi ng)Whi st l e whi l e you wor k. . .
( OLLI E whi st l es t he t une. )
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OTTO. . . Gi ve her one f or me, mat ey. . .
( OLLI E pul l s Rachel f r om t hecage and t hey embr ace. OTTOt i ght ens hi s gr i p ar ound Mama' aneck. )
OTTO( cont i nui ng)
. . . Onl y choki ng! Heh heh heh heh!
( I n a f l ui d movement , OTTO andOLLI E swi t ch pl aces. )
( OTTO opens t he chest ,
r et r i eves t he pear l neckl aceand gi ves i t t o Rachel whopl aces i t ar ound her neck. )
( MAMA sl umps i nt o Ol l i e' sar ms. )
( OLLI E t ur ns t o Ot t o. )
OLLI EOt t o?
OTTOHAW HAW HAW HAW! HAW HAW HAW HAW!
( A FLASH OF LI GHTNI NG AND ACLAP OF THUNDER cr eat e aBLACKOUT. )
( A f ew moment s pass. The musi cst ops. )
( Li ght s up)
( OLLI E i s semi - consci ous on hi s
bed. MAMA' S BODY l i es undert he cover s of her bed as OTTOsi t s on t he over t ur ned chestwhi ch i s open, r eveal i ng i t sempt i ness. )
( OLLI E sl owl y r ecover s. )
OTTOSl eep wel l mat ey?
OLLI E
What ar e you st i l l doi ng her e?OTTO
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Wai t i ng f or t he wake.
OLLI EWho' s wake?
OTTO( Poi nt i ng)
Her s, ' ol chum. . .
( St andi ng t o r eveal ). . . Your mot her , I pr esume.
OLLI E( Ri si ng abr upt l y)
MAM?. . .
( Rushi ng t o her bed). . . NO! I T WAS A DREAM! I T WAS A DREAM!
OTTONo dr eam. I t happened.
OLLI EWhy di dn' t you st op i t ?
OTTOCan' t st op t he t i de, mat ey. Al l must t r anspi r e what hast o.
OLLI E You' r e t al ki ng i n r i ddl es.
OTTO You ar e l i st eni ng i n r i ddl es. . . An eni gma, what ?
OLLI EMake sense. . . make some sense!
OTTOSense?. . Al r i ght , how s t hi s . . . you. . . s l aught er ed. . .t he OX.
OLLI ENO! Thi s i sn' t happeni ng. Thi s can' t be r eal , i t j ustcan' t be.
OTTODepends on what si de of r eal i t y you ar e st andi ng on,doesn t i t .
( OLLI E kneel s at hi s mot her ' ssi de. )
OLLI EWhat have I done? What have I become? What ki nd of manki l l s hi s own mot her ?. . .
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OTTOQuest i ons wi l l be answer ed i n due cour se.
OLLI E( J umpi ng up)
ENOUGH OF YOUR NONSENSE! Why don' t you go away andl eave me i n peace!
OTTOHA! HA! HA! I t ' s not t hat si mpl e, mat ey. I t ' s not t hatsi mpl e.
OLLI EWhat ar e you, some ki nd of si ck bast ard who get s hi s
ki cks f r om t r eadi ng on t he mi sf or t unat e?OTTO
I ' d be t r eadi ng on mysel f t hen, woul dn' t I ?
OLLI EI t ol d you NO MORE RI DDLES!
( OLLI E l unges at OTTO who st epsasi de causi ng OLLI E t o f al ldown. )
OTTO You can' t t ouch me, mat ey. I ' m par t of t he uni on. . .
( OLLI E st ands and l unges agai n.OTTO si de- st eps hi m l i ke a
mat ador . OLLI E f al l s acr ossMAMA' S BODY. Scr eami ng, OLLI Escr ambl es away f r om her . )
. . . What ' s t he mat t er , don' t you want t o be cl ose t o yourmum?. . .
( Wi t h a yel l , OLLI E r i ses oncemore and agai n t r i es t o at t ack
OTTO, but mi sses and f al l sagai nst t he Ri ngmast ermannequi n. )
. . . Oh, you want t o be cl ose t o me.
( OLLI E t akes a l ong l ook at t hemannequi n t hen a l ook at OTTO.Moment ar i l y, hi s conf usi onsubsi des)
OLLI EWho are you?
OTTO Take a guess .
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OLLI EAr e you t he Devi l ?
OTTONo. But t hanks f or t he compl i ment . Tr y agai n.
OLLI EI don' t have t i me f or your games.
OTTOI ' m Your pal , mat ey. We' r e bosom buddi es, so t o speak.
OLLI EWher e di d you come f r om?
OTTO' Round- a- bowt ! We' ve done a l ot t oget her .
OLLI EName one t hi ng.
OTTO. . . Rachel .
OLLI E( Remember i ng)
Rachel !
OTTOShoul d have kept your eye on her . J i ppos ar e l i keescape ar t i st s. Put t hem i n a cage, t hey' l l f i nd a wayout . . . Your bel oved l i t t l e oyst er r an away. . . wi t h t hepear l s, so t o speak. . .
( OTTO poi nt s at t he openchest . )
. . . Your l at e mot her woul d be ver y upset wi f you, i f shecoul d be, heh heh.
OLLI EMy mot her ! She woul d not have l et you near me. Howcome she di dn' t st op me f r om seei ng you?
OTTOShe di dn' t know.
OLLI EShe woul dn' t have al l owed you t o get cl ose.
OTTOI was. . . our l i t t l e secr et .
OLLI EBut she knew about ever yone I met , ever yone I ever met ,
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and ever yt hi ng I ever di d.
OTTOOut smar t ed her wi f me, di dn' t ya. . . Hi d me where shecoul dn' t f i nd me, you di d. Ther e' s al ways a pl ace t ohi de i f you need i t . That ' s what t he game i s al l about ,i nni t ?. . . secret pl aces. . . al ways a pl ace t o hi de, t her ei s. You know t hat . You hi d me where no- one coul d f i ndme but your sel f . One of a ki nd we ar e, mat ey. . . one ofa ki nd. The f unny t hi ng i s, i s t hat i t was me who f oundyou. Di dn' t know t hat , di d ya?
OLLI E You f ound me?
OTTOWasn' t har d ei t her . Ri ght t her e i n f r ont of me, youwas.
OLLI EMAKE SENSE! MAKE SOME SENSE!
OTTODo I have t o dr aw you a pi ct ur e?. . . Ri ght ! . .
( OTTO cr osses t o t he st agemi r r or . )
OTTO. . . Come ' er e. Come on! You want sense; I ' l l gi ve i t t oy a . . .
( OLLI E f ol l ows hi m and st andsi n f r ont of t he mi r r or . )
OTTO. . . Take a l ook. . .
( OLLI E l ooks at hi s ownr ef l ect i on. )
. . . Ther e! See?( OLLI E l ooks at OTTO t hen backat hi s own r ef l ect i on agai n. )
OLLI ENo.
OTTO That ' s wher e we met .
OLLI E
I n t he mi r r or ?
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OTTOOf your mi nd.
OLLI EMy. . . mi nd.
OTTO. . . Our mi nd.
( OLLI E t akes anot her l ook athi msel f , t hen at OTTO. A f ewmoment s pass t hen t her eal i sat i on over whel ms hi m. )
OLLI ENO!
( OLLI E st agger s backwar ds,cl ut chi ng hi s head. )
OTTO YES!
OLLI ENOOO!
OTTO YEESS!
( OLLI E r eel s ar ound t he t ent ,scr eami ng. )
( OTTO st ands on t he chest . )
OTTO. . . THE OX I S DEAD AND YOU I S MEREJ OI CE FOR OLLI E' S OXEN- FREE!
THE OX I S DEAD AND YOU I S MEREJ OI CE FOR OLLI E' S OXEN- FREE!HA! HA! HAAA! . . .
( OLLI E st agger s ar ound, t r yi ng
t o gai n cont r ol of hi s senses. )( OTTO cr osses t o t he mi r r or andst ands, admi r i ng hi msel f . )
. . . We ar e one! - except f or t he obvi ous f act you i sweaker and I i s st r onger . . . I have cont r ol .
( Def eat ed, OLLI E ponder s overOt t o' s wor ds. )
OLLI E
. . . I ' l l hi de f r om you. You won t f i nd me t hen you' l l goaway.
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Be car ef ul Ol l i e. . . Mumsi e sai d t hey coul d do you har m.
OLLI EPr eci sel y!
OTTO You' l l do us bot h har m. . .
( OLLI E r ai ses t he bot t l e t o hi sl i ps. Ot t o begi ns t o pani c. )
. . . Wai t a sec. What i f you wake up l at er and I ' m st i l lher e? Thi s woul d al l be unnecessary and your medi ci newoul d be gone. You' d be wr i t hi ng around ever ywher e. . .Or what i f I wake up i n your pl ace? I ' d have Rachel al lt o mysel f . . .
( OLLI E hesi t at es f or a moment . ). . . How do you know t he pi l l s wi l l do t he j ob?
OLLI E( Pausi ng)
. . . I don t .
( He downs t he whol e cont ent s oft he bot t l e. )
OTTO YOU COWARD! You' r e f r ee f r om your mot her s grasp. That ' s what you want ed. But now you can' t f ace up t ot he r esponsi bi l i t y, can you. You had t he power t o t akecont r ol of your l i f e but you hi d behi nd your si cknessand i gnor ance because i t was saf e, f r ee. I coul d haveshown you t hi ngs t hat you dr eamed about , pl aces t hat youwant ed t o go, peopl e you want ed t o see, but you' r edest r oyi ng any chance of t hat ever happeni ng.
OLLI E. . . I t doesn' t mat t er . Al l I have i s a pas t f ul l ofhandi caps and r est r ai nt . Mama was r i ght . I have nof ut ur e. Who d want me, anyway? I m j ust a mad dog.
Ther e s not hi ng but escape now t o a pl ace wher e t her e
i s no suf f er i ng, no sadness, no f i t s. . . j ust peace.OTTO
Wher e' s t he sanct uar y i n deat h?
OLLI E( Cr ossi ng t o MAMA' S BODY)
. . . That , you i gnor ant pr at , i s t he ul t i mat e secrethi di ng pl ace. . .
( OLLI E l i es down i n f r ont ofMAMA and cur l s up i nt o a f et al
pos i t i on. )
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OLLI E
. . . a pl ace wher e you can be f r ee f or a moment . . . or f oret er ni t y.
OTTOLi st en t o me. Spi t out t he pi l l s and we' l l go away f r omher e. We' l l t r avel . We' l l go see your br ot her , ok?
Toget her , you and me. What do you say, mat ey?
OLLI E You' r e not ver y good company.
OTTO YOU' LL NEVER BE FREE! NEVER!
OLLI E You ar e wr ong matey!
OTTO( Ret ur ni ng t o hi s mannequi npos i t i on. )
NO! THI S I S MY GAME I T' S MY TURN!
OLLI E. . Al r i ght . I ' l l go and hi de and you go seek. . .
( OLLI E Cl oses hi s eyes. )
OLLI E. . . Ol l i e Ol l i e Oxenf r ee. . .
OTTONOOO!
( OTTO r et ur ns t o t he r i ngmast ermannequi n and f r eezes. )
OLLI E( Ti r ed)
. . . Ol l i e Ol l i e Oxenf r ee. . .
( LI GHTS FADE SLOWLY. ). . . Ol l i e Ol l i e Oxen. . .
( As t he l i ght s sl owl y di m, t hechar act er s on st age ar e back-l i t by l i ght out s i de t he t ent .Mama st i r s and r i sesuncomf or t abl y. She not i ces t hepi l l bot t l e t hen spot s Ol l i e. )
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MAMA
Ol l i e? Ol l i e! NOOOOO! OLLI E! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
( Mama qui ckl y cr osses t o Ol l i e,cr adl es hi m i n her ar ms andr ocks back and f or t h. )
Ti s al r i ght Ol l i e, yer ol mama i s her e. Ti s not yourf aul t . Mama f orgi ves you Mama f or gi ves you
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