Juno's Daughters (18 page)
Authors: Lise Saffran
A surge of water hits the beach.
Audience members:
Damn!
Damn!
Get the blanket!
My pillow!
I thought that was part of the play!
Trinculo:
Nor go neither; but you'll lie like dogs, and yet say nothing, neither.
Nor go neither; but you'll lie like dogs, and yet say nothing, neither.
Jenny:
(
Whispers to Lilly.
) Did Trinculo speak to you earlier?
(
Whispers to Lilly.
) Did Trinculo speak to you earlier?
Lilly:
About what?
About what?
Jenny:
He said he wanted to talk to you.
He said he wanted to talk to you.
Lilly:
Tell me you didn't ask him to.
Tell me you didn't ask him to.
Jenny:
Did he?
Did he?
Lilly:
Sure.
Sure.
Jenny:
Are you okay?
Are you okay?
Lilly:
Why wouldn't I be?
Why wouldn't I be?
Peg:
Shhhh!
Shhhh!
Stephano:
Lead, monster, we'll follow. I would I could see this taborer; he lays it on.
Lead, monster, we'll follow. I would I could see this taborer; he lays it on.
Trinculo:
Wilt come? I'll follow Stephano.
Exeunt
.
Wilt come? I'll follow Stephano.
Exeunt
.
Enter Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzalo, Adrian, Francisco, etc.
Gonzalo:
By'r lakin, I can go no further, sir. My old bones aches. Here's a maze trod indeed through forth-rights and meanders! By your patience, I needs must rest me.
By'r lakin, I can go no further, sir. My old bones aches. Here's a maze trod indeed through forth-rights and meanders! By your patience, I needs must rest me.
Trinculo
(
To Jenny.
) I was worried about the tide! Did it ruin the scene?
(
To Jenny.
) I was worried about the tide! Did it ruin the scene?
Jenny:
No, not at all. (
Whispers.
) So you talked to her?
No, not at all. (
Whispers.
) So you talked to her?
Trinculo:
To her, with her, and now, about her.
To her, with her, and now, about her.
Jenny:
What did you say,
exactly
?
What did you say,
exactly
?
Peg:
Jenny! You're on in two minutes.
Jenny! You're on in two minutes.
Offstage, a man with a long braided beard lifts a three-foot wood tube to his mouth and begins to blow.
Ariel:
What the hell is that noise?
What the hell is that noise?
Peg:
Not so loud, the audience will hear you! It's a didgeridoo. An ancient aboriginal flute made from the branch of a eucalyptus tree and hollowed out by termites.
Not so loud, the audience will hear you! It's a didgeridoo. An ancient aboriginal flute made from the branch of a eucalyptus tree and hollowed out by termites.
Caliban:
I love it. It makes me want to dance naked in the moonlight.
I love it. It makes me want to dance naked in the moonlight.
Ariel:
Lord deliver us.
Lord deliver us.
Trinculo:
It sounds like a moose. Or a plane taking off. A moose bellowing in the hold of a prop plane while it's taking off. On gravel.
It sounds like a moose. Or a plane taking off. A moose bellowing in the hold of a prop plane while it's taking off. On gravel.
Peg:
I told Raven he could play. It's eerie.
I told Raven he could play. It's eerie.
Ariel:
If by that you mean my ears are going
Eeeeee
, then I would have to agree with you.
If by that you mean my ears are going
Eeeeee
, then I would have to agree with you.
Alonso:
What harmony is this? My good friends, hark!
What harmony is this? My good friends, hark!
Gonzalo:
Marvelous sweet music!
Marvelous sweet music!
Peg:
Jenny! Lilly! Frankie! You're on.
Jenny! Lilly! Frankie! You're on.
Enter several strange
Shapes
, bringing in a blanket; and dance about it with gentle actions of salutations; and inviting the King, etc. to eat, they depart.
Shapes
, bringing in a blanket; and dance about it with gentle actions of salutations; and inviting the King, etc. to eat, they depart.
ACT II, Scene I
Â
A bonfire on the beach after the play.
Captain Jack:
Who needs their brewski topped off? Got a pitcher comin' round.
Who needs their brewski topped off? Got a pitcher comin' round.
Ferdinand:
I guess I'll try some after all. I don't want to be a party pooper. You said the beer was homemade?
I guess I'll try some after all. I don't want to be a party pooper. You said the beer was homemade?
Esme:
Pretty much everything is, on Waldron.
Pretty much everything is, on Waldron.
Winifred:
Brewed with real chocolate. Twelve percent alcohol.
Brewed with real chocolate. Twelve percent alcohol.
Sally:
I can tell. I'm seeing two Calibans. And one is enough for anybody.
I can tell. I'm seeing two Calibans. And one is enough for anybody.
Chad:
Who's our designated driver, anyway?
Who's our designated driver, anyway?
Winifred:
There are no traffic cops on Waldron.
There are no traffic cops on Waldron.
Miranda:
No clubs, either. And I always go out on opening night.
No clubs, either. And I always go out on opening night.
Dale:
You are out, my girl. Way out.
You are out, my girl. Way out.
Lilly:
What are the cast parties like in New York?
What are the cast parties like in New York?
Miranda:
Crazy. One time I was dancing with this guy to . . . you know that song by King Arut? Jolly Rancher?
Crazy. One time I was dancing with this guy to . . . you know that song by King Arut? Jolly Rancher?
Lilly:
(
Sings.
) She know I do anything that she tell me.
(
Sings.
) She know I do anything that she tell me.
Miranda and Lilly:
(
Together.
) So I say, suck me like a Jolly Rancher.
(
Together.
) So I say, suck me like a Jolly Rancher.
Peg:
Girls! You're ruining a perfectly glorious night. After a wonderful performance.
Girls! You're ruining a perfectly glorious night. After a wonderful performance.
Ferdinand:
I liked the part where you told the audience to move their pillows and blankets because the tide was coming in.
I liked the part where you told the audience to move their pillows and blankets because the tide was coming in.
Winifred:
My pants are still damp.
My pants are still damp.
Captain Jack:
The lanterns were spooky at the end. That was a good touch.
The lanterns were spooky at the end. That was a good touch.
Sally:
It was beautiful.
It was beautiful.
A howl echoes toward the fire, followed by hysterical laughter and several loud thumps.
Chad:
(
Calls out to the dark.
) What's going on out there, you burnouts?
(
Calls out to the dark.
) What's going on out there, you burnouts?
Miranda:
What
is
that?
What
is
that?
Chad:
Caliban and some local boys are having an excellent adventure. Jasper has some blue veil growing in bark mulch on his property.
Caliban and some local boys are having an excellent adventure. Jasper has some blue veil growing in bark mulch on his property.
Miranda:
Magic mushrooms? Aren't those dangerous?
Magic mushrooms? Aren't those dangerous?
Chad:
Only to us, if they come near. Would you like to try?
Only to us, if they come near. Would you like to try?
Lilly:
Yes.
Yes.
Chad:
I wasn't asking you.
I wasn't asking you.
Miranda:
Hmmm. I don't think so.
Hmmm. I don't think so.
Peg:
Chad, you should have told me. Don't you remember what happened to Puck that first year?
Chad, you should have told me. Don't you remember what happened to Puck that first year?
Chad:
Caliban won't get lost here. No matter how often we tell him to.
Caliban won't get lost here. No matter how often we tell him to.
Peg:
He better not.
He better not.
From deep within the woods comes the sound of the didgeridoo. A low moan growing high and echoing like a metal spring.
Captain Jack:
You better hope that Raven abstained or we'll be hearing that racket all night long.
You better hope that Raven abstained or we'll be hearing that racket all night long.
Dale:
It was great for the show tonight, though. The Spirits were wonderful also, with their bare feet on the sand.
It was great for the show tonight, though. The Spirits were wonderful also, with their bare feet on the sand.
Peg:
I'm thinking they should go shoeless from now on. Lilly, Jenny? What do you think?
I'm thinking they should go shoeless from now on. Lilly, Jenny? What do you think?
Lilly:
Whatever. Sounds good.
Whatever. Sounds good.
Peg:
And the others? Spirits, speak!
And the others? Spirits, speak!
Dale:
Frankie went to bed about an hour ago.
Frankie went to bed about an hour ago.
Chad:
I thought I saw Jenny here a while back.
I thought I saw Jenny here a while back.
Lilly:
Where's Trinculo anyway? Wasn't he here a few minutes ago?
Where's Trinculo anyway? Wasn't he here a few minutes ago?
Dale:
He might have gone to bed also. He seemed tired.
He might have gone to bed also. He seemed tired.
Lilly:
Don't be ridiculous. C'mon, Miranda. Let's go find him and take him skinny-dipping.
Don't be ridiculous. C'mon, Miranda. Let's go find him and take him skinny-dipping.
Chad:
(
Scrambles after them.
) Sounds like a plan!
(
Scrambles after them.
) Sounds like a plan!
Exit.
Sally:
Well, that was a pretty good try, Dale. But Trinculo can probably look after himself.
Well, that was a pretty good try, Dale. But Trinculo can probably look after himself.
Dale:
It's not Trinculo I'm worried about.
It's not Trinculo I'm worried about.
Peg:
I'm not sure about that scene when the girls pretend to be dogs. I thought it worked in rehearsal, but tonight I didn't like it at all. I think they need to be more ferocious.
I'm not sure about that scene when the girls pretend to be dogs. I thought it worked in rehearsal, but tonight I didn't like it at all. I think they need to be more ferocious.
Dale:
I'll be sure and point that out to Jenny when she returns from bonking Trinculo in the woods.
I'll be sure and point that out to Jenny when she returns from bonking Trinculo in the woods.
Peg:
It's none of your business whom she bonks, old man.
It's none of your business whom she bonks, old man.
Dale:
Ouch.
Ouch.
Ariel arrives from the house with a towel draped around his neck, his skin still damp from the shower. Followed by David, rubbing his eyes.
Ariel:
Hello, fellow tricksters. (
Sits down on a log.
) Ahh, the lonely ones, around the fire. The poor souls who are not getting laid.
Hello, fellow tricksters. (
Sits down on a log.
) Ahh, the lonely ones, around the fire. The poor souls who are not getting laid.
Captain Jack:
I must've missed something. Who's getting laid?
I must've missed something. Who's getting laid?
Ariel:
I'll never tell. (
Leans over and stage whispers.
) Lilly.
I'll never tell. (
Leans over and stage whispers.
) Lilly.
Ferdinand:
But wait a second. Lilly . . .
But wait a second. Lilly . . .
Dale:
Hi there, David. Take a nap?
Hi there, David. Take a nap?
David:
Until Raven started blowing that damn horn again.
Until Raven started blowing that damn horn again.
Captain Jack:
(
To Ariel.
) Lilly was just here by the fire
.
(
To Ariel.
) Lilly was just here by the fire
.
David:
Yeah, she and Miranda just passed me on the path. (
Turns to Jack.
) It looked like they had one of your growlers with them, full of brew, in case you want to go get it back
.
Yeah, she and Miranda just passed me on the path. (
Turns to Jack.
) It looked like they had one of your growlers with them, full of brew, in case you want to go get it back
.
Captain Jack:
(
Rises.
) I doubt there's anything left by now.
(
Rises.
) I doubt there's anything left by now.
Ariel:
Well, then maybe it was
Jenny
sneaking off behind the boathouse. She had long black hair and was making out with Trinculo, why wasn't I to think it was Lilly?
Well, then maybe it was
Jenny
sneaking off behind the boathouse. She had long black hair and was making out with Trinculo, why wasn't I to think it was Lilly?
David:
Hand me that pitcher, Ferdinand?
Hand me that pitcher, Ferdinand?
Ferdinand:
Sure. I think there's a clean cup around here somewhere, too.
Sure. I think there's a clean cup around here somewhere, too.
David:
I don't need a cup. (
Drinks directly from the pitcher.
)
I don't need a cup. (
Drinks directly from the pitcher.
)
Peg:
(
Looks at Ariel.
) Was that absolutely necessary?
(
Looks at Ariel.
) Was that absolutely necessary?
Ariel:
Don't blame me. You people are not always that easy to tell apart in broad daylight.
Don't blame me. You people are not always that easy to tell apart in broad daylight.
Yelling and loud laughter can be heard from the beach.
Lilly:
(
Sings loudly.
) Scarcity and want shall shun you.
(
Sings loudly.
) Scarcity and want shall shun you.
Lilly, Miranda, and Chad:
Ceres's blessing is upon you!
Ceres's blessing is upon you!
Lilly:
Are you out there somewhere listening? I looooove you!
Are you out there somewhere listening? I looooove you!
Sally:
I wonder if that means they found Trinculo?
I wonder if that means they found Trinculo?
David:
It's more likely they found the bottom of the growler.
It's more likely they found the bottom of the growler.
Peg:
(
Sighs.
) Actors.
(
Sighs.
) Actors.
ACT II, Scene II
In the woods near the boathouse. A lantern swings from a tree. Two people lie on a blanket, bodies entwined.
Jenny:
(
Giggles.
) You knocked over my beer.
(
Giggles.
) You knocked over my beer.
Trinculo:
We
knocked it over. I'm not doing this alone, am I? Are you perhaps a figment of my imagination? (
Kisses her.
) A spirit?
We
knocked it over. I'm not doing this alone, am I? Are you perhaps a figment of my imagination? (
Kisses her.
) A spirit?
Jenny:
Oh, God.
Oh, God.
Trinculo:
That's what I like to hear.
That's what I like to hear.
Jenny:
I shouldn't be doing this.
I shouldn't be doing this.
Trinculo:
Doing what?
Doing what?
Jenny:
Letting you slip off my tights, for one thing.
Letting you slip off my tights, for one thing.
Trinculo:
Letting me?
Letting me?
Jenny:
(
Raising her hips into the air.
) Helping you.
(
Raising her hips into the air.
) Helping you.
Trinculo:
There you go.
There you go.
Jenny:
Wait! Did you hear something?
Wait! Did you hear something?
Trinculo:
Like what?
Like what?
Jenny:
An animal?
An animal?
Rustling in the trees and leaves crunching. The long low tone of the didgeridoo can be heard in the distance.
Trinculo:
No. Listen. It's that godforsaken instrument again. Wa wa wa
.
No. Listen. It's that godforsaken instrument again. Wa wa wa
.
Jenny:
(
Singing.
) Woke up this morning with a wineglass in my hand.
(
Singing.
) Woke up this morning with a wineglass in my hand.
Trinculo:
(
Joining in.
) Whose wine? What wine? Where the hell did I dine?
(
Joining in.
) Whose wine? What wine? Where the hell did I dine?
Jenny and Trinculo:
(
Together.
) Waaa waaa waaa.
(
Together.
) Waaa waaa waaa.
Jenny:
Wait. I heard it again. Shush.
Wait. I heard it again. Shush.
Silence. Jenny sits up, her eyes shining wide in the reflected light of the lantern. Suddenly they are looking into the face of Caliban. He is shirtless, with wild hair and widely dilated pupils.
Trinculo:
Caliban?
Caliban?
A branch snaps and
Caliban
disappears. Minutes later the silence is broken by the sound of yelling from on the beach.
Caliban
disappears. Minutes later the silence is broken by the sound of yelling from on the beach.
Jenny:
That was Lilly.
That was Lilly.
Trinculo:
Are you sure?
Are you sure?
The yelling continues and suddenly, loud and clear, they can both hear I LOVE YOU, TRINCULO!
Jenny:
I'm sure. (
Tugs her tights up past her waist.
) I'm sorry. I can't do this.
I'm sure. (
Tugs her tights up past her waist.
) I'm sorry. I can't do this.
Trinculo:
No, wait. I did speak to Lilly, Jen. Just like I promised. I told her I was way too old for her. That it would never work.
No, wait. I did speak to Lilly, Jen. Just like I promised. I told her I was way too old for her. That it would never work.
Jenny:
Okay, then what did she say? You never did tell me that.
Okay, then what did she say? You never did tell me that.
Trinculo:
She'll get over it, Jenny. I promise.
She'll get over it, Jenny. I promise.
Jenny:
What. Did. She. Say?
What. Did. She. Say?
Trinculo:
(
Drops his head to stare at the ground.
) She said that guys always said that to her. At first.
(
Drops his head to stare at the ground.
) She said that guys always said that to her. At first.
Jenny:
Terrific. (
Grabs her sweater from the ground and pulls it over her head.
) I'm going to put my kid to bed. I'll see you tomorrow.
Terrific. (
Grabs her sweater from the ground and pulls it over her head.
) I'm going to put my kid to bed. I'll see you tomorrow.
Exits.
ACT III Scene I
Bright morning sunlight. Jenny is lying in the Burtons' guest bed where
Frankie
and
Lilly
were to sleep.
Frankie
and
Lilly
were to sleep.
Frankie:
Mom. Wake up! Lilly disappeared.
Mom. Wake up! Lilly disappeared.
Jenny:
(
Groggy.
) What? Did I fall asleep? What time is it?
(
Groggy.
) What? Did I fall asleep? What time is it?
Frankie:
Mom
. This is serious. None of the search parties could find her. The grown-ups are talking about having a Community Meeting. Winifred told me to wake you up.
Mom
. This is serious. None of the search parties could find her. The grown-ups are talking about having a Community Meeting. Winifred told me to wake you up.
Jenny:
Search parties?
Search parties?
Frankie:
Well, me and Dale looked all over the beach. Trinculo, Ariel, and Ferdinand went through the forest, and Jim Burton and Jack hiked all the way up to Point Hammond. Even Miranda hasn't seen her, and they're best friends.
Well, me and Dale looked all over the beach. Trinculo, Ariel, and Ferdinand went through the forest, and Jim Burton and Jack hiked all the way up to Point Hammond. Even Miranda hasn't seen her, and they're best friends.
Jenny:
Well, she has to be somewhere, right? We're on an island that's only 4.5 miles around.
Well, she has to be somewhere, right? We're on an island that's only 4.5 miles around.
Frankie:
We have a ton more shows! Why would she hide? Is she mad at Peg? Or Dale?
We have a ton more shows! Why would she hide? Is she mad at Peg? Or Dale?
Jenny jumps out of bed and heads for the door, still wearing her costume from the night before. She grabs her bag on the way out.
Jenny:
Where is everybody?
Where is everybody?
Frankie:
(
Runs after her.
) By the fire pit.
(
Runs after her.
) By the fire pit.
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