Ollie Ollie Oxen Free

8/12/2019 Ollie Ollie Oxen Free

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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 gobshi 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 dest 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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Ollie Ollie Oxen Free

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