NAME:___________________________________________

ROLE:___________________________________________

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FOOTLOOSEMUSICALNUMBERSAct1FOOTLOOSE………………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………..……..…...3

ONANYSUNDAY………..…………....………………………..……………………….….......................................................5

THEGIRLGETSAROUND…………………………………………………..……………………………………………..……….………....9

ICAN’TSTANDSTILL……………………………………………………..……………………………………………….…………………..13

SOMEBODY’SEYES…………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………...16

LEARNINGTOBESILENT...............................................................................................................…………22

HOLDINGOUTFORAHERO!………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………26

SCENECHANGESOMEBODY’SEYES…..………………………………………………….…….……………………..………………31

SOMEBODY’SEYESREPRISE..…………………………………………………………….…………………….…………………………33

HEAVENHELPME…………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………..34

I’MFREE/HEAVENHELPME..…………………….………………………………………………..………………………….…………37

ACT2

STILLROCKIN’……………………..……………………………………….………………………………………………..…..………...…...39

LET’SHEARITFORTHEBOY…….………………………………………………………………………..…....…….…………………..43

LET’SMAKEBELIEVEWE’REINLOVE…………………………………………………………………………………………………..44

CANYOUFINDITINYOURHEART?…………………………………………………………..……...…………………….…….……46

DANCINGISNOTACRIME………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….48

MAMASAYS............................................................................................................................................49

ALMOSTPARADISE……………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………….53

ICONFESS/HEAVENHELPME(REPRISE)……..……………..………………......…………………………………...…………..59

CANYOUFINDITINYOURHEART(REPRISE)……………………………………………...…………………….…………...…..62

FOOTLOOSEFINALE.................................................................................................................................62

BOWS…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………63

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(Abeatbeginsasthehouselightsdim.CHICAGOPEOPLEenter,gettingreadyforanightout.)

MUSIC1a-Footloose KENZIE:BEENWORKINGSOHARD.I’MPUNCHINGMYCARD EIGHTHOURS,FORWHAT?OH,TELLMEWHATIGOT

AUDREY:BEENWORKINGSOHARD.I’MPUNCHINGMYCARDEIGHTHOURS,FORWHAT?

OTHERS:FORWHAT?FORWHAT?FORWHAT?FORWHAT?FORWHAT?

JACEY:BEENWORKINGWAYTOOHARD.I’MPUNCHINGTHATSAMECARD. EIGHTHOURSBUSTIN’MYBUTT.OH,TELLMEWHATIGOT?

KIDS:IGOTTHISFEELINGTHATTIME’SJUSTHOLDINGMEDOWN

KENZIE/AUDREY/JACEY:IHATETHISFEELINGTIMEISHOLDINGMEDOWN!

KIDS:I’LLHITTHECEILINGORELSEI’LLTEARUPTHISTOWN. TONIGHTIGOTTACUTLOOSE,FOOTLOOSE, KICKOFFYOURSUNDAYSHOES. PLEASE,LOUISE,PULLMEOFFAMYKNEES. JACK,GETBACK,COMEONBEFOREWECRACK. LOSEYOURBLUES,EVERYBODYCUTFOOTLOOSE.

(REN,acharismaticteen,breaksfromthepack;heissurroundedbyFRIENDSpattinghisback,shakinghishand,etc;theyareinadanceclub,shoutingtobeheard)

ROSS:Ren!Ren,heyRen,Iheardyou’removingaway.

PATRICK:Ren’sleavingChicago?(ToREN)You’releavingChicago?

REN:(Playful)That’sright!I’mleavin’youclownsforthewideopenspaces.

MARCUS:Whathemeansishe’smovingtosomelittlehicktownnobody’severyheardof.

ROSS:Whywouldyoudothat?

REN:(Defensive,good-humored)Hey!Peoplehaveheardofit!

MARCUS:Oh,yeah?What’sthenameofit?

REN:Youcanfinditonanymap.

PATRICK:What’sthenameofit?

REN:Folksareflockingtherefromallover.

MARCUS/PATRICK/ROSS:WHAT’STHENAMEOFIT?

REN:Bomont.

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ALL:(Turning,shouting)Bomont?Where’sBomont?

KENZIE/AUDREY/JACEY:(ToREN)YOU’REPLAYIN’SOCOOL,OBEYIN’EVERYRULE. DIGWAYDOWNINYOURHEART.YOU’REBURNIN’YEARNIN’FORSOME…

ALL:SOMEBODYTOTELLYOUTHATLIFEAIN’TPASSIN’YOUBY

KENZIE/AUDREY/JACEY:LIFEAIN’TPASSIN’MEBY

ALL:I’MTRYIN’TOTELLYOU,ITWILLIFYOUDON’TEVENTRY.YOUCANFLY!YOUCANFLY!YOUCANFLY!

KENZIE/AUDREY/JACEY:IFYOU’DONLYCUTLOOSE

ALL:CUTFOOTLOOSE!(WHOA!)CUTFOOTLOOSE!(AAWWW)CUTFOOTLOOSE!

(Therhythmicpulsecontinuesunderasthelightsshift.RENmovestohisMom,ETHELMCCORMICK,packing.Sheisinherlate30’s,stillattractivebutnervouslytroubled.Theirrelationshipisplayful,butrespectful.)

REN:Mom!Where’reyougonnaputthat?Thebackseatofthecarisfull!Ican’tclosethetrunk....

ETHEL:Ren,don’tstart!Idon’twanttomoveanymorethanyoudo.

REN:Thenlet’snotgo.

ETHEL:Look!I,too,wishyourfatherhadn’tleft.I,too,wishthatthingscouldbethewaytheywere...

REN:Okay,okay…...

ETHEL:AndwebothwishIcouldbeoneofthosestrongsinglemotherswhosuddenlybecomesself-sufficient!ButI’mnot.(Tongueincheek)Pleasefeelfreetodisagree.

REN:We’vegotaten-hourdriveaheadofus.I’msureI’llthinkofsomething.

(AsRENandETHEL‘leaveChicago,”thelightsrestoreonstage.)

ALL:FIRSTWE’VEGOTTOTURNYOUAROUNDSECONDTHENPUTYOURFEETONTHEGROUND.THIRDNOWTAKEAHOLDOFYOURSOUL!AAWWW….LIFEKEEPSHOLDINGMEDOWN!AHH….EV’RYBODYCUT,EV’RYBODYCUT,EV’RYBODYCUT,EV’RYBODYCUT,EV’RYBODYCUT,EV’RYBODYCUT,AH-AH-AH-AH…AH-AH-AH-AH…

(TheDANCERSspinoff,revealingREVERENDSHAWMOORE-40’s.Vigorous,authoritative;hestandscenterstagelisteningtothesoundsofaCHOIRwarmingupsweetlyinthedistance)

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ACTONE-SCENE1B:inChurch

MUSIC1b-OnAnySunday

CHOIR:AHHH… ONANYSUNDAYHEREWE’LLBERAISINGOURVOICESINHARMONY ONEDAYONCEOURTRIALSHAVECEASEDWEWILLBERELEASED

SHAW:(Heartfelt,conversational)ONANYSUNDAY,LORDIPRAY,TELLMEEXACTLYTHEWORDSTOSAY. GIVEMESTRENGTHANDMAYBETHENICANREACHMYFELLOWMEN. SOWEALLMAYRISEAGAIN.THANKYOU,LORD,AMEN.

CHOIR:AH….

(PARISHIONERSandKIDSenterchurchandtakeseatsinthepews.RENandETHELenter;SHAWgreetsthem.)

SHAW:WelcometoBomont!(SHAWmountstothepulpit)Goodmorning!

PARISHIONERS:Goodmorning,Reverend!

SHAW:Itookthelongwaytochurchthismorning,downpasttheoldcreek.Iheardbirdschirpingandourownchoirwarmingupinthedistance.Iwasremindedofalinefromourgreatpoet,WaltWhitman,whowrote,“IhearAmericasinging.”AndIthought,“Aren’twethesongtosing?Don’tweliftourvoicestotelltheworldwhoweare?Andwhatwebelieve?”SoIaskyouthismorning--whatsongareyousinging?

REN:(Turninginhispew)WE’VEONLYBEENHERETWODAYSANDALREADY CHICAGOSEEMSAMILLIONMILESAWAY. BUTWEWEREBARELYHANGINGONTHERE,‘SPECIALLYWITHMYFATHERGONE. THERE’SNOTTOOMANYPLACESWECOULDSTAY BUTMAYBEMOMCANFINDAJOBTHAT’SSTEADY,ANDMAYBEICANSTANDITFORAYEAR ANDMAYBETHINGSWON’TBESOBADANDMAYBEIWON’TMISSMYDAD ANDMAYBEWECOULDSTARTANEWLIFEHERE.

PARISHIONERS:OOH,AH….STARTANEWLIFEHERE!OOH!OOH!OOH!OOH!

SHAW:ButifWaltWhitmanwerealivetoday,whatsongwouldhehearAmericasinging?WhenIturnontelevision,allIhearisthemusicofeasysexualityandrelaxedmorals.Ihearrockandrollandtheendlesschantofpornography.AndIaskmyself,“WhydoesourLordallowthis?”WeknowGodhasthepowertoturnallthoserecordsandbooksandvideosintoonebigfierycinderlike…(Clapshishandsbeforeasleepingboy)...that!(TheBOYstartlesawake)Buthedoesn’t.Andwhy?BecauseGodistestingus.He’swatchingtoseewhetherwe’llchoosehispath.Andthatiswhy,everyday,wemustaskourselves:“HaveIdonetherightthing?”

ETHEL/REN:HAVEIDONETHERIGHTTHING?PICKINGUPMYLIFE,PACKINGUPTHEPAST. THAT’SALWAYSFRIGHT’NING,HAVEIDONETHERIGHTTHING?

ADULTPARISHIONERS:THERIGHTTHING?THERIGHTTHING!WESTRIVETODOWHAT’SRIGHT! THERIGHTTHING!THERIGHTTHING!SINISAMATTEROFBLACKANDWHITE!

SHAW:ThismorningwewelcometoourparishtwonewsoulsjustarrivedfromChicago.EthelMcCormackandherson...Ron,isit?

REN:(Mumbles)Ren.

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SHAW:Huh?Speakup!LettheLordhearyourvoice!

REN:(Stands.Louder)Ren.

CHUCK:(Snidelymimicking)“Ren!”(OtherKIDSsnicker)

REN:(ignoringthejibe)RenMcCormack.

SHAW:“Ren.”Interestingname.Isthatshortforsomething?

REN:(Cheeky)Nope!(Sitsabruptly)

KIDS:THERE’SRUMORSGOIN’ROUNDABOUTTHENEWKIDANDEVERYBODY’STALKIN’TILLTHEIRBLUECUZYOUKNOWHOWASTRANGERIS-IFHE’SNOTDUMB,HE’SDANGEROUSBUTEITHERWAYATLEASTIT’SSOMETHINGNEW.

SHAW:NowIinviteyoutojoinmywifeViandourdaughterArielinthismorning’sconvocation.

(ARIELandVIascendtothealtarandflankSHAW.)

SHAW/VI/ARIEL:GODISLOVEFOLLOWHIMANDNEVERROAM HEHASMADETHESTARSABOVEJUSTTOLIGHTYOURWAYBACKHOME.

SHAW:(TotheCongregation)Everybody!

(ALLsingtheirrespectivesectionsincounterpoint)

REN/ETHEL:WE’VEONLYBEENHERETWODAYSANDALREADYCHICAGOSEEMSAMILLIONMILESAWAY BUTWEWEREBARELYHANGINGONTHERE,‘SPECIALLYWITHMY/HISFATHERGONE THERE’SNOTTOOMANYPLACESWECOULDSTAY BUTMAYBEMOM/ICANFINDAJOBTHAT’SSTEADY ANDMAYBEI/RENCANSTANDITFORAYEAR ANDMAYBETHINGSWON’TBESOBADANDMAYBEI/RENWON’TMISSMY/HISDAD ANDMAYBEWECANSTARTANEWLIFEHERE.

SHAW/VI/ARIEL:GODISLOVEFOLLOWHIMANDNEVERROAM HEHASMADETHESTARSABOVEJUSTTOLIGHTYOURWAYBACKHOME.

ADULTPARISHIONERS:THERIGHTTHING!THERIGHTTHING!WESTRIVETODOWHAT’SRIGHT!! THERIGHTTHING!THERIGHTTHING!SINISAMATTEROFBLACKANDWHITE! THERIGHTTHING!THERIGHTTHING!WEDOTHERIGHTTHING! WESTRIVETODOTHERIGHTTHING!

KIDS:THERE’SRUMORSGOIN’ROUNDABOUTTHENEWKIDANDEVERYBODY’STALKIN’TILLTHEIRBLUE BUTEITHERWAY,IT’SSOMETHINGNEW,EITHERWAYATLEASTIT’SSOMETHINGNEW.

ALL:ONANYGIVENSUNDAYMORNINGHEREWE’LLBERAISINGOURVOICESINHARMONY GATHERINGTOJOINTHEFEASTASKINGNAUGHTBUTLORD,ATLEAST WEPRAYTHATONEDAYONCEOURTRIALSHAVECEASEDWEWILLBERELEASED!

SHAW:Goinpeace!

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ACTONE-SCENE2:TheChurchyard

(Astheserviceends,PARISHIONERSgatherinsmallgroupsaroundthechurch.OnegroupincludesSHAW,VI,REN,ETHEL,andhersisterandbrother-in-law,LULUandWES.)

SHAW:Well,Mrs.McCormack,yoursisterhascertainlybeenexcitedaboutyourmovinginwiththem.

ETHEL:LuluandWeshavebeenmyrock.

LULU:Oh,it’sbeennotrouble.Etheljustmovedrightintotheguestroom.

SHAW:AndRen,where’dyouruncleputyou?

WES:(Eagerlyjumpingin)Youremembermyoldtool-shopoverthegarage?.

VI:Wes,thatplaceisagreasydump.

LULU:Well,nomore.

WES:Picturethis:powder-bluewallpaper,chocolatebrowncarpet.

VI:Oh,no!

REN:(AsidetoVI,gravely)Oh,yes.(VIchuckles,sympathetic,thenturnstoETHEL)

VI:WhenwillMr.McCormackbejoiningus?

REN:Mr.McCormackwon’tbejoiningus.

ETHEL:MyhusbandandIareseparated.

REN:Heranofftofindhimself.

ETHEL:Ren,please!

(ELEANORandCOACHDUNBARjointhegroup.)

ELEANOR:Vi,Vi,I’vemadesomeofmyTollHousecookies.Lulu,youtasteoneandyou’llburneveryrecipeinyourkitchen.(ShehustlesLULUoffstage;asshegoes:)

VI:Won’tyoujoinus,Mrs.McCormack?Eleanorwantstoshowuswhatheaventasteslike.

ETHEL:CallmeEthel.Please.

VI:OnlyifyoucallmeVi.(Theyexit.)

REN:(ToETHEL)Savemeacookie,Ethel.(ETHEL’SlookbacktoRENsays,“Pleasebehave!”)

SHAW:So,Ren,allsetforschooltomorrow?

WES:Wetookcareofthatlastweek.Coachherehelpedgethimregistered.

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COACH:Reverend,didyouhearthatnewEnglishteacherisplanningtointroducesomevulgarmodernnovelintoourAmericanLitcourse?

SHAW:“SlaughterhouseFive.”Yes,Coach,I’vereceivedseveralcalls.

REN:”SlaughterhouseFive?”(ToWESandCOACH)Coolbook,covertocover!(ToSHAW)That’soneawesomestory!(Hestops,abashed)“SlaughterhouseFive,”right?It’saclassic.

COACH:Doyoureadmuch?

WES:Well,Coach,maybeinanothertownit’saclassic.

REN:Inanytown,UncleWes.

COACH:“TomSawyer”isaclassic.

(ARIELandRUSTYrushon.)

ARIEL:Daddy,excuseme,Rustyandthegirlsaregoingoutforburgerstonight.CanI?

SHAW:Tomorrowisaschoolday.

ARIEL:Aw,Daddy…?

SHAW:Askyourmother.

RUSTY:(Alwaysspeakingamile-a-minute)Wealreadydid,ReverendMoore,andshesaiditwasokaywithherifitwasokaywithyou,soisitokaywithyou?

SHAW:(ReactstoRUSTY’sbarrage)Teno’clock.

ARIEL:Teno’clock.

RUSTY:Greatsermon,Reverend.

SHAW:Thankyou,Rusty.

RUSTY:And,oh!WhatyousaidaboutWaltWhitmanandrock‘nrolland“listentothemusicinyoursoul,”andallthat,Imean,Iwaslike,“Whoknew?”

SHAW:Highpraise,indeed.(TurningtoCOACHandWES)Gentlemen.(Theyexit)

ARIEL:I,ontheotherhand,thoughtmydaddywasnevergoingtoshutup.(ShestartstopeeloffherSundaybest;she’sunder-dressedwithsexierclothes.)

RUSTY:Well,then,whydon’tyoujusttalktohim?

ARIEL:Why?Heneverlistenstome.And,anyway,I…(SheseesRENwatchingherandstopstalking;beat)WelcometoBomont.(Pause)

REN:(Likeadrawlingcowboy)Howdy.(Hisattemptathumorismetwithblankstares;embarrassed,RENstartstogo,butisstoppedbyURLEENandWENDYJOastheyenter)

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URLEEN:Ooooo!Youarecute!WendyJo,isn’thecute?

WENDYJO:Uh-huh.

URLEEN:Ibetheknowshe’scute,donchathink,WendyJo?

WENDYJO:Uh-huh

(RENleaves)

URLEEN&WENDYJO:(Callingafterhim,teasing)Ouch!Oh,baby….!Yougotthatsweetstuff….!(Etc)

RUSTY:(Stoppingthem)Hey!Putyourtonguesbackinyourmouths,andlet’sgetouttahere.

(TheGIRLSstartoffinonedirection,ARIELintheother.)

ARIEL:Seeya!

URLEEN:Andwhere’reyougoing?

ARIEL:Wheredoyouthink?

WENDYJO&URLEEN:(Theyknow)Oooh.

ARIEL:Andifthequestionevercomesup,Iwaswithyouguysallevening,right?

WENDYJO:Areyouaskingustolieforyou?

ARIEL:Yeah.(TheGIRLSlooktoeachother,shrug.)

RUSTY,URLEEN&WENDYJO:Okay.(Allexit,GIRLSoneway,ARIELtheother.)

MUSIC2-TheGirlGetsAround (ThetwangofelectricguitarsbringsonCHUCKCRANKSTONandhisbuddies,TRAVISandLYLE.ARIELenters.)

ACTONE-SCENE3:BehindaGasStation

CHUCK:Hey,good-lookin’.(HeandARIELkiss.)Missme?

ARIEL:Youwish

(TRAVISandLYLE,thuggishandgrass-stained,approach)

TRAVIS:Hey,there,Ariel.

LYLE:How’sitgoin’?

ARIEL:(Regardsthem)Hey,Travis.Lyle.(Gasps,turnstoCHUCK.)Ohdear.DidIinterruptyourweeklypoetryclubmeeting?

CHUCK:Veryfunny.(Hecaressesher.)So.Whowasthatnewguyinchurch?

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ARIEL:Who….?Oh,him.He’sournewclassmate.(Playful)AChicagotransplantwithallthecharmandsophisticationthatcomesfromlivinginabustlingmetropolis.

CHUCK:ShouldIbejealous?

ARIEL:(Teasing)I’mcountingonit.(Theygrabeachotherandkiss.)

LYLE:Hey,Cranston.Jus’what’reyoudoin’withthepreacher’sdaughter?

CHUCK:(Singing)ANYTHINGTHATIWANT

TRAVIS:Oh,yeah?Whatdoesshegetoutofit?

CHUCK:EVERYTHINGTHATSHENEEDS(ARIELissuddenlyproper.)

ARIEL:Likeyou’dknow.

CHUCK:WELL,SHE’DLIKEYOUTOTHINKSHEWASBORNYESTERDAYWITHHERINNOCENTLOOKSANDHERLITTLETOWNWAYSWHENSHE’SSMILIN’ATMESHE’SGOTANGELSINHEREYES BUTI’VESEENHOWSHEMOVESANDTHISGIRLREALLYCOOKS SHETAUGHTMESOMETRICKSTHATYOUCAN’TLEARNINBOOKS ANDI’MSTARTIN’TOTHINKSHE’STHEDEVILINDISGUISE.

CHUCK/TRAVIS/LYLE:THEGIRLGETSAROUNDSHEKNOWSWHATSHELIKES

TRAVIS&LYLE:HUNH!

CHUCK: TRAVIS/LYLE:

IGOTWHATSHENEEDS NEEDS

JUSTWAIT’LLTONIGHT! JUSTWAIT!

WE’LLBOTHMAKEOURMOVES MAKEOURMOVES

CHUCK/TRAVIS/LYLE:YEAH,WE’LLCOVERSOMEGROUND

CHUCK:THEGIRLGETSAROUND,AROUND,AROUND,AROUND,AROUND,AROUND OHYEAH,THISGIRLGETSAROUND

TRAVIS:Ariel,Iswear.You’rethemostrebelliousgirlI’veevermet.

ARIEL:Gotaproblemwiththat?

TRAVIS:Nuh-huh.Ijustwishyouhadasister!

LYLE:Chuckisoneluckydude!

ARIEL:(ToTRAVISandLYLE)YEAH,HELIKESTOPRETENDHE’SAMANAMONGMEN BUTWITHHISHANDSINHISPOCKETS,HECAN’TCOUNTTOTEN. (ToCHUCK)DON’TWORRY,BABY,YOU’RESECRET’SSAFEWITHME.

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TRAVIS/LYLE:Busted!

ARIEL:ANDHEBORESMETOTEARSWITHHISBEERSANDHISBIKES BUTIKEEPHIMAROUNDCUZWHENTEMPTATIONSTRIKES HE’SGOTAMOTOR,ANDWE’LLGOONASPREE!

CHUCK/TRAVIS/LYLE:THEGIRLGETSAROUND

CHUCK:SHEKNOWSWHATSHELIKES

TRAVIS/LYLE:HUNH!SHEKNOWSWHATSHELIKES!

CHUCK/ARIEL:GOTWHATYOUNEED

TRAVIS&LYLE:YEAHYEAHYEAHYEAH

CHUCK:JUSTWAIT’LLTONIGHT

ARIEL:MAYBETONIGHT

TRAVIS/LYLE:WAIT’LLTONIGHT

CHUCK/ARIEL/TRAVIS/LYLE:WE’LLBOTHMAKEOURMOVESYEAH, WE’LLCOVERSOMEGROUNDTHEGIRLGETSAROUND AROUNDAROUNDAROUNDAROUNDAROUND THEGIRLGETSAROUND AROUNDAROUNDAROUNDAROUNDAROUND OHMAN,THISGIRLGETSAROUND!(ARIELjumpsintoCHUCK’sarmsasSHAWenters)

SHAW:Ariel?(ALLfreeze.CHUCKputsARIELdown.)

CHUCK:Evening,Reverend.

SHAW:(ToARIEL)IwenttoTheBurgerBlast.YourfriendssuggestedImightfindyouhere.

CHUCK:Wewerejustonourway.(Pause.SHAWnods,unconvinced,thenoffersasweatertoARIEL.)

SHAW:Yourmotherthoughtyoumightbecold.

(Achillypause.ARIELtakesthesweater.SHAWexits.TRAVISandLYLEcallafterhim.)

TRAVIS/LYLE:Evening,Reverend.

(ARIEL’sgoodmoodevaporates;assheexits,theBOYSteaseher,singing.)

MUSIC2a-After“Girl” CHUCK,TRAVIS&LYLE:THEGIRLGETSAROUNDANDSHEKNOWSWHATSHELIKES IGOTWHATSHENEEDSJUSTWAIT’LLTONIGHT THEGIRLGETSAROUND,AROUND,AROUD,AROUND OHMAN,THISGIRLGETSAROUND!

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ACTONE-SCENE4:AHighSchoolHallway

(STUDENTScrossontheirwaytoclass.RENcrossestoARIEL,whoenterswithRUSTY.)

REN:Hey!Ariel?Right?

ARIEL:Yeah.So?

REN:I’mRen.RenMcCormack?Wemetafterchurch?Isthisasmallworldorwhat?I’myournewclassmate.

ARIEL:(Mimickinghim)“Howdy!”

RUSTY:Girl,leavethatpoorboyalone!

(Theyleave,joiningWENDYJOandURLEENontheirway.REN,inembarrassment,turnsandbumpsintoWILLARDHEWITT,ahayseedinahat.)

WILLARD:Hey,mister,youbumpedme!

REN:Sorry.

WILLARD:Don’tyoueverlookwhereyou’regoin’?

REN:IsaidIwassorry.

WILLARD:Hey!You’rethatnewguyfromChicago,ain’tcha?

REN:Perhaps.

WILLARD:Wiseguyhuh?Listen,fella,aroundhere,youpushsomebody...theypushback.Nextthingyouknow,yougot…(Getsconfused,forgesahead)...twopeoplepushing.Getit?

REN:Gotit.Lemmeaskyousomething.Theysellmen’sclotheswhereyougotthathat?

WILLARD:(Suspiciously)Whatisthat,somekindofstupidjoke?

REN:No.That’sareallygoodjoke.

WILLARD:That’sit,man.I’mgonnakillyou!(HeraiseshisdukestoREN,whothrowshimselfatWILLARD’sfists.)

REN:Oh,please!Killme!

WILLARD:(pullsaway,startled)Huh?

REN:Killme!KILLME!That’sthemostexcitingthingI’veheardsinceIhittown!(sticksouthishand)RenMcCormack.Andyouare?

WILLARD:(Wary)Willard.WillardHewitt.

REN:Willard,whatdoyoudoaroundhereforagoodtime.

WILLARD:Uhh…sometimeswegocowtippin’.

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REN:Yeah…Besidesthat.Doyouhaveanyclubs?

WILLARD:Nope.

REN:Whataboutmovies?

WILLARD:Nope.

REN:Whataboutmalls?

WILLARD:Nope.

REN:Whatabout...

WILLARD:Nope.Nope.Andnope.(Pause)WedohavetheBowl-A-Ramadownbytheinterstate.

MUSIC3-ICan’tStandStill

REN:Wow.Ireallyadmireyou.Icouldneverdowhatyouguysdoaroundhere.

WILLARD:Yeah?Whatdowedo?

REN:Nothing! INEVERWALKWHENICANRUN,IDON’TBELIEVEIEVERCOULD. PEOPLETRYTOSLOWMEDOWN,SAYIN’,“BOYYOUREALLYSHOULDKICKBACKANDCHILL.”BUTICAN’TSTANDSTILL!

WILLARD:Icanseethat.(WILLARDtriestogetaway.RENwon’tlethimleave.)

REN:ICALLEDTHEDOCTOR,HESAID,“SON,ICANNOTOFFERYOUAPILL.”SOINEVERFOUNDRELIEFANDNOWI’VEGOTTOMOVEUNTILI’VEHADMYFILL.ICAN’TSTANDSTILL!

WILLARD:Aroundherewewalk.(OtherSTUDENTSfilterintoobservethisscene)

REN:BACKWHEREICOMEFROM,LIFE’SNEVERHUMDRUM IWISHICOULDTAKEYOUTHERE. OH,WEHADTHEWORLDATOURFEET,LIFEWASSWEET AIN’TNODOUBT,GRABASEAT,CHECKITOUT!(Hedoesafewdancemoves)

WILLARD:You’regonnalastaboutfiveminutesinthistown.

REN:OH,ITHOUGHTITWOULDNEVEREND,BUTILOSTITSOMEHOW,WOULDYOULOOKATMENOW I’MTRYIN’HARDTOTONEITDOWN,GOTTAWATCHMYP’SANDQ’S MAYBELOOKBEFOREILEAP,ANDTHENITHINK,“HEY,WHAT’STHEUSE?” AIN’TDONEITYETANDICAN’TFORGETHOWITFEELSWHENYOUDANCE‘TILYOUDROP SODON’TEVENSTARTTOSUGGESTTHATISTOPINEVERWILL ICAN’TSTAND(AlaJamesBrown)NONONONONONONONO NONONONONONONONO

WILLARD:No,no,no,no…!

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REN:Thensomebodykillmecuz-- ICAN’TSTANDSTILL! NO!NO!NO…….NO!

(Asthenumberends,PRINCIPALCLARKenters.)

PRINCIPAL:Youngman!Youngman!Whatdoyouthinkyou’redoing?

REN:IwasjusttellingWillardaboutChicago.(PRINCIPALisstone-faced.)Yeah,Chicago...y’know?...thattoddlin’town?

PRINCIPAL:That’snotwhatitlookedlike.

REN:What?Oh,that?Iwasjustshowinghimsomesteps.Stuffweusedtodoattheclubs.

WILLARD:(Frantically)Don’t….don’t….!

REN:What?“Don’t”what?Youmeanthis?(RENdancesafewdeliberatelygoofysteps.)

PRINCIPAL:Mr.McCormack!

WILLARD:(Underhisbreath)Ohno.

PRINCIPAL:There’snodancingallowedhere!

REN:What?

WILLARD:Listentotheman.

REN:Oh.Sure.Oops.Schoolproperty.Notsupposedtohaveanyfun.

PRINCIPAL:ThatsortofremarkmaypassforwitinChicago,butherewespeaksimply.LetmemakethisasclearasIcan;thereisabsolutelynodancingofanykindallowedatanytimeanywherewithinthetownlimitsofBomont.(RENstartstospeak)Ever.

(RENlaughs.Nooneelsedoes.)

REN:No,seriously.(TotheKIDS)He’skidding,right?(Noonereacts)Okay.Igotit.Thejoke’sonthenewkid.Ha-ha.

PRINCIPAL:(ToWILLARD)Mr.Hewitt!Wouldyouinformyourfriend?

WILLARD:It’sagainstthelaw.

REN:Dancing?Getout!

WILLARD:Shutup.(ToPRINCIPAL)Mr.Clark,sir,Renisverysorry.Hewasignorantofourlocallaw,andIwillinformhimofhisignorance.

PRINCIPAL:AndIwillseebothofyouinmyofficeafterschool.(Thebellrings.Noonemoves.)I’msureweallhaveplacestobe.

(STUDENTSdisperseandPRINCIPALexits.RUSTYgrabsWILLARD.)

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RUSTY:Omigosh,Willard!ThewayyouspoketoPrincipalClark!Wow...that’slike,thelongestsentenceyou’veevermade!

WILLARD:Pwshhtaww

(WILLARD,flusteredandembarrassed,exits.ARIELwalkspastREN,playfullychuckshimunderthechinandmimicsthePRINCIPAL)

ARIEL:Chinup….MisterMcCormack.(Shechuckles,exits.URLEEN,WENDYJOandRUSTYsurroundREN.)

URLEEN:It’ssuchaturn-on,watchingaguyflyinthefaceofauthority.Isn’tit,WendyJo?

WENDYJO:Uh-huh.

REN:Washeserious?

WENDYJO:Seriousasaheartattack.

REN:Dancingisagainstthelaw?

RUSTY:Hasbeenforfiveandahalfyears.Eversincetheaccident.

REN:Whataccident?

RUSTY,WENDYJO&URLEEN:(Surprisedhedoesn’tknow)ThePotawneyBridgeAccident!(RENshrugs)

WENDYJO:You’veneverheardofthePotawneyBridgeAccident?

REN:IfIhad,wouldIbedoingthis?(Heshrugsagain,moreexaggeratedthanlasttime.)

RUSTY:Well!Ladies,shouldItakethisone?

WENDYJO:Please.

URLEEN:Bemyguest.

RUSTY:Therewerethesefourkidsweallgrewupwith.AndtheyweredrivingbackfromabigdanceoverinBaylorCounty.Now,maybeitwastherainthatnight,maybetheywerebeingalittlewild,butsomehowtheylostcontrolofthecar.Itskiddedacrossthebridge,crashedthroughtherailing,andfellthirty-fivefeetintothePotawneyRiver.

REN:Yikes.Didanybodysurvive?(RUSTYshakesherhead“no.”)Oh,that’sawful.

RUSTY:Yeah.Andwhenthesheriff’sofficepublishedtheautopsyreporttherewasalcoholandmarijuanaintheirblood.Well,everybodyintownwentnuts.

URLEEN:Andthat’swhenReverendMooregotsorighteous.Hestartedblaminganythingandeverything….liquor,drugs,rockandroll...

REN:Anddancing?

URLEEN:Yougotit.

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RUSTY:HeconvincedtheTownCouncilthatitwasallasinand…(Snapsherfingers)...justlikethat,theypassedthislaw.

REN:Wait.ReverendMoorehasthatkindofpower?

RUSTY:ReverendMoore?

URLEEN:Heisthepower.

WENDYJO:He’sthelaw.

REN:Man.Howcanyoustandtolivelikethis?

URLEEN:Practice.Yearsofpractice.

RUSTY:It’snotlikeChicago.Itmustbesocooltoliveinacitywhereyoucanwalkdownthestreetandgetmuggedbypeopleyoudon’tevenknow.

REN:Yeah,Imissthat.Ithoughtlivinginasmalltownwasgoingtobeperfect,likeonebighappyfamily.

RUSTY:Letmetellyouaboutthatfamiy.

(Shechecksbehindherselftomakesurenobody’slistening.)

MUSIC4-Somebody’sEyes RUSTY:There’stongueswaggingeverytimeyoumakeamove.

URLEEN:There’sfingerspointingeverytimeyouturnaround.

WENDYJO:There’sheadsshakingtheminuteyoucrosstheline.

RUSTY:Andthere’seyeseverywhere. CAREFULWHATYOUDOSOMEONE’SONTOYOUCAREFULWHATYOUDO

URLEEN:CAREFULWHATYOUSAYCUZYOU’REONDISPLAYEVERYNIGHTANDEVERYDAY

RUSTY:SOMEBODY’SHIDINGINTHEGREATUNKNOWN

RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:UH-HUH

RUSTY:ANDEV’RYTIMEYOUTHINKTHATYOU’REALONE

URLEEN/WENDYJO:HAH!

RUSTY:SOMEBODY’SEYESAREWATCHING

URLEEN:SOMEBODY’SEYESARESEEINGYOUCOMEANDGO

WENDYJO:SOMEBODY’SOUTTHERE,WAITINGFORTHESHOW

RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:YOU’VEGOTNODISGUISEFROMSOMEBODY’SEYES

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REN:Thanksfortheadvice.Butit’snotgoingtogettome.

URLEEN:Getstoeverybody.

REN:Youdon’tknowme.

RUSTY:Youdon’tknowBomont.

(Asthenumbercontinues,TOWNSPEOPLEfillthestageandframethefollowingvignettes)

ALL:SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY’SEYES,WHOA,OHSOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY’SEYES,WHOA,OH

(ACOPstepsoutofthecrowd,writingaticketforREN.)

COP:You’regonnahavetolearnthatinBomont,astopsignmeansstop.

REN:IthoughtIdid.

COP:Andthatradiomusicofyourswasblastingprettyloud.

REN:Oh.Soyoupulledmeoverbecausemymusic’stooloud.

COP:Hey!Watchthatattitude,boy.

(CHUCK,LYLEandTRAVISenter.)

CHUCK:Book‘im,Jim!

COP:Thisafriendofyours,Chuck?

CHUCK:Thecitykid?Iwouldn’tlethimpetmydog.

(CHUCK,LYLEandTRAVIShowlwithlaughterandexit.RENwatchesthemgo.)

REN:(ToCOP,sarcasticallycheery)Theyseemnice.

(Stone-faced,theCOPslapsaticketinREN’shand.)

URLEEN:CAREFULHOWYOUSPEAK,TURNTHEOTHERCHEEK,BECAREFULHOWYOUSPEAK

WENDYJO:THINKANAUGHTYTHOUGHTANDIFYOUGETCAUGHT WELL,THEN,BOY,YOU’VEBOUGHTALOTOFTROUBLE

RUSTY:SOMEWHERETHERE’SSOMEONEWITHAPERFECTVIEW

RUSTY/URLEEN/WENDYJO:YOO-HOO!

RUSTY:ANDTHEY’REJUSTDYIN’FORALITTLEPEEK-A-BOO

URLEEN/WENDYJO:BOO!

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RUSTY/URLEEN/WENDYJO:SOMEBODY’SEYESAREWATCHING SOMEBODY’SEYESWILLNEVERCLOSE,NEVERSLEEP SOMEBODY’SAFTERTHESECRETSTHATYOUKEEP WHO’SGOTALIBISFROMSOMEBODY’SEYES?

(ThePrincipal’sOffice.COACHDUNBARdragsRENinbeforethePRINCIPAL.WithhimareTRAVISandLYLEinwrestler’soutfits.)

COACH:PrincipalClark,thisboyturnedmywrestlingpracticeintoabrawl!

LYLE:Yeah!!

TRAVIS:Yeah!

REN:(ToTRAVIS)Oh,Isupposemynosejustslammedintoyourfist!

LYLE/TRAVIS/REN:That’sbull…!Youstartedit….!Itwasyou….!Hey…!

COACH:Hey!That’senough!(ToREN)Myboysknowthedifferencebetweenawrestlingmatchandastreetfight.

REN:(Snide)Oh,really,Coach?Awrestlingmatchisusuallyone-on-one.

PRINCIPAL:Thatisenoughoutofyou!Thisisthethirdtimeinasmanyweeksthatyou’vebeendraggedintomyoffice.I’msuspendingyoufromthewrestlingteam.Indefinitely.

ALL:SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY’SEYESWHOA-OHSOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY’SEYESWHOA-OH

(TheWarnickerHome.RENisstandingbeforeWES,LULU,andETHEL.)

WES:DoyouknowhowharditwasformetogetyouthatjobatDillingham’sHardwareStore?It’snotevenamonthandyougetfired!

LULU:Everydayit’smorebadnewswithyou.Everyday.

ETHEL:Lulu,don’texaggerate.

WES:Ethel,nowhush!You’renothelpingthings.

ETHEL:Ren?Whatdidhappen?

REN:NothingIshouldbefiredfor!Willardcamebythestore,andhewantedchangeofadollar,soIpoppedopentheregister.AndwhenMr.Dillinghamcameoutandsawmyhandinthedrawer,hewentcrazy.Heaccusedmeofstealing.

LULU:That’sbecauseeverythingyoudomakespeoplesuspicious.

WES:Areyouondrugs?

REN:No!Butwhydon’tyoufriskme?I’msureyou’vealreadypokedthrougheverythinginmyroom.

ETHEL:Ren,apologizetoyouruncle.

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WES:Look,youngman,IknowI’mnotyourfather...

REN:Youcansaythatagain!

(WESslapsREN.LULUgasps.)

ETHEL:Wes!

WES:Don’tsayanything,Ethel.

ETHEL:Ican’tnotsayanything.Idon’tknowhowtodothat,Wes.

LULU:Pumpkin,hush,please!

ETHEL:Wes,Irealizethatweareguestsinyourhome….

WES:Ethel!(Thatstopsher)Rightnow,justdon’tsayanything!

(ETHELbitesherlip,theADULTSdisperse.)

URLEEN:(ToREN)NEVERLAUGHTOOLOUD,NEVERLEAVEACROWD

WENDYJO:NEVERDRESSRISQUE,ORYOU’LLHAVETOPAY

RUSTY:IFYOU’VEEVERHADANYTHINGTOHIDETHINKTWICEBEFOREYOUSTEPOUTSIDE

URLEEN&WENDYJO:STEPOUTSIDE

RUSTY,URLEEN&WENDYJO:SOMEBODY’SEYESAREWATCHING SOMEBODY’SEYESAREFOLLOWINGEV’RYMOVE SOMEBODY’SWAITINGTOSHOWTHEYDON’TAPPROVE

URLEEN:NOTHINGSATISFIES

URLEEN/RUSTY:SOMEBODY’SEYES

WENDYJO:AIN’TNOALIBIS

WENDYJO/URLEEN:INSOMEBODY’SEYES

RUSTY:YOU’VEGOTNODISGUISE

RUSTY/URLEEN/WENDYJO:FROMSOMEBODY’SEYES

TOWNSPEOPLE:SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY’SEYESWHOA-OH SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY’SEYESWHOA-OH

(EVERYONEexits,leavingonly…)

RUSTY/URLEEN/WENDYJO:WHOA-OH

(TheMoorehomeappears.ARIELrunsonwithCHUCK.Heisalloverher,asshepusheshimaway,laughing)

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ARIEL:Chuck!Stop!Idon’twanttobelate!

CHUCK:What’safewmoreminutes?

RUSTY/URLEEN/WENDYJO:WHOA-OH

ARIEL:Mydadisstillnotcrazyaboutmyseeingyou.

CHUCK:Well,tellhimtogetusedtoit.

ARIEL:Youtellhim!

CHUCK:(Teasing)Iwill!(HestartstowardtheMoorehome)ReverendMoore….

(Giggling,ARIELcatcheshisarmandpullshimback.)

ARIEL:Maybenotrightnow.I’mnotinthemoodforoneofhissermons.(ShekissesCHUCK.)‘Byenow.

(ARIELrunstothedoor,CHUCKhasn’tleft.Shewhispers:)Go!Gohome!(CHUCKstrutsaway)

RUSTY/URLEEN/WENDYJO:WHOA-OH

(Astheyexitthemusicseguesinto…)

ACTONESCENE5:TheMooreHome

(Apieceofclassicalmusicplayssoftlyinthebackground.SHAWiswriting,VIpreparesdinner.ARIELpullsherselftogether,dashesinandkissesSHAWonthecheek)

ARIEL:Hi,Daddy.Mom.

VI:Areyouhungry?

ARIEL:I’mstarving.(Shelistenstothemusic.)A-ha.What’sthis?Don’ttellme-Haydn.TheSecondSonata?

SHAW:Thefourth.

ARIEL:Numberfour,right.Iguessthatkindofmusic’sokay,huh,Daddy?

SHAW:Meaning…?

VI:She’sjustmakingajoke,Shaw.

SHAW:I’mawareofthat,Vi.(toARIEL)This“kind”ofmusicisuplifting.Itdoesn’tconfusethemind.

(Notwantingtogetdrawnintoadiscussion,ARIEL,changesthesubject.)

ARIEL:Areyouworkingonyoursermon?

SHAW:Iam.

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ARIEL:RememberwhenIwasakid?OnSaturdays,Iwouldsitinapewdownfrontandlistentoyoupractice.Overandover.

SHAW:Idoindeed.

ARIEL:AndthenIwouldclap.Andyouwouldbow.Remember?

SHAW:Well,youseemtohaveoutgrownthat.

VI:Shaw!

ARIEL:Whatjusthappened?DidIsaysomethingwrong?

VI:Yourfather’shadadifficultday.

SHAW:Vi,Icanspeakformyself.

VI:(toARIEL)Honey,whydon’tyousetthetable.

ARIEL:I’mnotreallyhungry.(Sheleaves.VIlookstoSHAW.)

VI:Shaw,ifyou’reangrywithAriel,pleasetellherwhy.

SHAW:I’mnotangry.I’mconcerned.

VI:Thengettothepoint.Youtwospeakandnothinggetssaid.

SHAW:HaveyouseenherwiththisChuckCranston?ThelasttimeIwalkedinonthetwoofthem…

VI:Youtoldme.

SHAW:Theboyhasarecordofarrests,VI.

VI:Andthemoreyouobject,themoreintriguedshe’sgoingtobe.

SHAW:SoIshouldholdmypeace?

VI:Ido.AndIpraythatherinfatuationwithChuckCranstonlastsnolongerthanminewithElliotCriswell.

SHAW:ElliotCriswellwasnotanoverheateddelinquent.

VI:Oh,hemostcertainlywas!

SHAW:Thisisnotfunny.

VI:I’mtryingtolightenthemood.

SHAW:Well,Ican’t.I’mfrightenedaboutwhereArielis,whatshe’sdoing…

VI:Youcan’texpecthertosithomewithus.

SHAW:Let’sstopthisconversationrighthere.

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VI:Conversation?

SHAW:Vi…

VI:Iseemedtohavewalkedinononeofyoursermons.

SHAW:Please!Let’snotsayanythingwemightregret.

(Hegoes.LeavingVIalone.)

MUSIC5-LearningToBeSilent

VI:SWALLOWINGMYWORDS,STARINGATTHEFLOORCOUNTINGLITTLECRACKSINTHETILE,STRUGGLINGTOSMILEWITHOUTCHOKINGLEARNINGTOBESILENT.

(ETHELentersinherownspaceandsings:)

ETHEL:WATCHINGHOWTHEDUST,DANCESOUTTHEDOORNOTICINGMYHANDSSTARTTOSHAKE,CONTEMPLATINGTAKINGUPSMOKINGLEARNINGTOBESILENT.

VI/ETHEL:ALWAYSHEARING

ETHEL:“HUSHETHEL!”

VI:“PLEASE,VI!”

VI/ETHEL:“LET’SNOTHAVETHISCONVERSATION.”

ETHEL:ANDSOISTANDBYWHILEMYMINDTAKESASMALLVACATION.

VI/ETHEL:LALALALALALALALA;LALALALALALALALA

VI:MAKINGLITTLESOUNDSOTHERFOLKSIGNORE

ETHEL:QUIETINGTHEBEATOFMYHEARTNEVERBEINGPARTOFTHEMOMENT

ALL:LEARNINGTOBESILENT.

VI:LEARNINGTHEREARESOMETOPICSTHATWEDON’TEVENMENTION

ETHEL:ANDIFTHEYCOMEUP,THENWETRYTOBEVAGUE

VI:THEREARESUBJECTSFROMWHICHWEDIVERTALLATTENTION

ETHEL:ANDSOMEWEAVOIDLIKETHEPLAGUE

ALL:I’MBECOMINGAMIME

ETHEL:BITINGMYTONGUE.

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VI:BIDINGMYTIME

ETHEL:TRYINGNOTTOSCREAM

VI:TRYINGNOTTOSCREAM

ETHEL:MANAGEDITBEFORE

VI:MANAGEDITBEFORE

ALL:KNOWINGIFI’MGOINGTOSURVIVETHEN,UGH!

ETHEL:I’VEGOTTOPRACTICE

VI:PRACTICE

BOTH:LEARNING…(They“zip”theirlips.)HM...HM...HM…

(LightsfadeontheWOMEN.)

MUSIC5A-SceneChangetoBurgerBlast

ACTONE-SCENE6:TheBurgerBlast

(ARIEL,WENDYJO,RUSTY,andURLEENareatatabledoinghomework.)

RUSTY:Ariel,thisbookreportyouwroteissogreat!IalmostwishI’dreadthebook.

URLEEN:Hurryup,Rusty.Ihavetocopyitnext.

RUSTY:(Holdingupasheetofpaper.)Howdoyoupronouncethisword?

ARIEL:“Camelot”

URLEEN:Really?

ARIEL:Really.

RUSTY:Youwhatpartsoundsgreat?

WENDYJO:IlikethepartwhereKingArthurandLancelotfightoverGuinevere.It’srightafterMordredshowsupandsays,“I’mtheking!I’mtheking!”(Shestops,realizingtheyarestaring.)What?

URLEEN:Youreadabook?!

WENDYJO:CliffNotes.Ittookmeforever.

ARIEL:It’sevenbetterinthebook.There’salltheseknightsonhorsebackjoustingandstormingthecastle.

RUSTY:Allwegetareguysinoverallsridingpickuptrucks.

(WILLARDenters.)

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WENDYJO:Hi,Willard.

WILLARD:Hi.How’rey’alldoing?

ALL:Oh….Youknow…Okay…Good…etc

WILLARD:Hey,Rusty.

RUSTY:Hey,Willard.

(RUSTYandWILLARDsharealongsilence;then:)

WILLARD:Well,Seeya.(Hescamblesovertoatablebyhimself.TheGIRLSturnonRUSTY.)

URLEEN:“Hey,Willard?”That’sit?

WENDYJO:Youtwoarepathetic.

ARIEL:Whenareyoutwogoingtohavearealconversation?

RUSTY:Oh,Willardisnotcapableofarealconversation.(Beat)Ikindalikethatinaguy.

(RENskatesupinaBurgerBlastuniformandhat,sillyandoutrageous.)

WENDYJO:Hey,Ren,how’sthenewjob?

REN:Well,Ihaven’tbeenfiredandit’salreadymysecondday.

ARIEL:Youmayhavefoundyourfuture.

REN:Imayhave.WhatcanIgetyou?

RUSTY:DietCoke.

URLEEN:DietCoke.

WENDYJO:I’llhaveaHulaBurgerDoublePattyCheeseMeltwithextramayoandanorderoffries.Andadietcoke.

REN:AndAriel?What’syourpleasure?

ARIEL:It’snotonthemenu.

(TheGIRLSscreamandslapherfivewithadlibsof“Ouch!”“Girlfriend!”“Yougo,girl!”asRENskatesovertoWILLARDandthelightsshift.)

WILLARD:IfChuckseesyouflirtingwithAriel,youareadeadman.

REN:Sheusuallydoesn’tevenrememberme.

WILLARD:Well,thatuniformmakesyoulooklikesuchapipsqueak,it’seasiertopickyouout.

REN:Youarealwayslookingforafight,aren’tyou?

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WILLARD:Mamasaysit’smynature.

REN:Willard,shutupandtellmewhatyouknowaboutAriel.

WILLARD:Well,Iknowshe’sbeenkissedalot.

REN:And…?

WILLARD:Andsheisontoyoulikeahogonslop!

REN:Getouttahere!

WILLARD:Ariellikestrouble.AndyouhavedefinitelyprovedtoeverybodyinthistownthatyouareT-R-U-B-L.

(ThelightsshiftbacktotheGIRLS.)

ARIEL:Comeon!Iwasonlyteasinghim.

RUSTY:That’smorethanteasing.Renisfromoutoftownanddon’ttellmethatdoesn’tcurlyourtoes.

WENDYJO:YouwantoutofBomontsobad,Ibetyoumemorizebusschedules.

URLEEN:Youtoldusthatyoureadjusttoescapetootherworlds.

ARIEL:Exactly!Inbooks,Igettomeetguyswhoamazeme.

WENDYJO:WhataboutRen?

ARIEL:Whatabouthim?

RUSTY:He’ssortasmart.

URLEEN:He’skindatall.

WENDYJO:AndIthinkhe’shandsome.

ARIEL:Cute,maybe.

URLEEN:ButcanhereallycompetewithChuckCranston,therugged,dangeroushighschooldropout-slash-drugdealerwhowasrecentlyevictedfromatrailerpark?Idon’tthinkso.

(TheGIRLSgiggle,andthelightsshiftbacktoRENandWILLARD.)

REN:What’sthedealwithyouandRusty?

WILLARD:Beatsme.Ithinkshe’sgood-lookingandall.ButIneverknowwhattheheckshe’stalkingabout.ShetalksfasterthananygirlIevermet.

REN:That’scuzshelikesyou!

WILLARD:(Thrilled)Y’think!?

MUSIC6–HoldingOutForaHero

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RUSTY:IfIcouldonlyfindaguywho’dmakethefirstmove.

URLEEN:IfIcouldonlyfindaguywho-whenhewenttokissmegoodnight-he’dtakethetoothpickoutofhismouth.

WENDYJO:IfIcouldonlyfind…aguy.

ARIEL:WHEREHAVEALLTHEGOODMENGONE,ANDWHEREAREALLTHEGODS?

RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:Yeah!

ARIEL:WHERE’STHESTREET-WISEHERCULESTOFIGHTTHERISINGODDS?

RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:I’DLIKETOKNOW

ARIEL:ISN’TTHEREAWHITEKNIGHTUPONAFIERYSTEED?LATEATNIGHTITOSSANDITURN…

RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:ITOSSANDITURN,OOH-OOH-OOH

ARIEL:ANDIDREAMOFWHATINEED….INEEDAHERO

(Thestageturnsintoarockconcertfantasy.)

RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:DOODOODOODOO;DOODOODOODOO;DOODOODOODOO;AHH!AHH!

ARIEL:SOMEWHEREAFTERMIDNIGHTINMYWILDESTFANTASYSOMEWHEREJUSTBEYONDMYREACHTHERE’SSOMEONEREACHINGBACKFORME

RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:DOODOODOODOO

ARIEL:RACINGONTHETHUNDER RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:DOODOODOODOOANDRISINGWITHTHEHEAT DOOIT’SGONNATAKEASUPERMAN DOODOODOOTOSWEEPMEOFFMYFEET AHH

ALL:INEEDAHERO

ARIEL:I’MHOLDINGOUTFORAHEROTILTHEENDOFTHENIGHT

WENDYJO:HE’SGOTTABESTRONG

URLEEN:ANDHE’SGOTTABEFAST

RUSTY:ANDHE’SGOTTABEFRESHFROMTHEFIGHT

ALL:INEEDAHERO!I’MHOLDINGOUTFORAHEROTILTHEMORNINGLIGHTHE’SGOTTABESURE,ANDIT’SGOTTABESOON,ANDHE’SGOTTABELARGERTHANLIFE

ARIEL:LARGERTHANLIFE!

RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:DOODOODOODOO;DOODOODOODOO;DOODOODOODOO;AHH!AHH!

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ARIEL:UPWHERETHEMOUNTAINSMEETTHEHEAVENSABOVE

WENDYJO:OUTWHERETHELIGHTNINGSPLITSTHESEA

ALL:ICOULDSWEARTHEREISSOMEONESOMEWHEREWATCHINGMETHROUGHTHEWINDANDTHECHILLANDTHERAINANDTHESTORMANDTHEFLOODICANFEELHISAPPROACHLIKEAFIREINMYBLOODLIKEAFIREINMYBLOOD;LIKEAFIREINMYBLOODLIKEAFIREINMYBLOOD;LIKEAFIREINMY…AHH!AHH!

INEEDAHERO!I’MHOLDINGOUTFORAHEROTILTHEENDOFTHENIGHTHE’SGOTTABESTRONGANDHE’SGOTTABEFASTANDHE’SGOTTABEFRESHFROMTHEFIGHT

INEEDAHERO!I’MHOLDINGOUTFORAHEROTILTHEMORNINGLIGHTHE’SGOTTABESUREANDIT’SGOTTABESOONANDHE’SGOTTABELARGERTHANLIFELARGERTHANLIFE

(Asthesongends,theirfantasydissolvesandtheyreturntoTheBurgerBlast.)

RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:DOODOODOODOO;DOODOODOODOO;DOODOODOODOO;AHH!AHH!

ALL:INEEDAHERO!

(WehearCHUCK’Struckscreechup;ARIELpanics,jumpsup.)

ARIEL:Oh,no!Whattimeisit?

RUSTY:Eight-thirty.Why?

ARIEL:Ohno!I’mlate.Chuck’sgonnaloseit.

(CHUCKstormsin,furious.)

CHUCK:Ariel!Wherehaveyoubeen?Wehadadatehalfanhourago!

ARIEL:Chuck,I’msorry.

CHUCK:Idon’tlikeyoumakingafooloutofme.

RUSTY:Andwhywouldyou?Youdosuchagoodjobofityourself.

CHUCK:Shutup,Rusty.

(RENskatesovertoCHUCK)

REN:Willyoubejoiningtheseladiesfordinner?

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(CHUCKturnstoREN,lookshimupanddown,thencontemptuouslypusheshimbackward.RENrollsawayslowly.CHUCKgrabsARIELbythearmandpullshertooneside.)

CHUCK:WhenIsay“meetmeateight,”whatamI-talkingtomyself?

ARIEL:No,you’reright.Calmdown,Chuck.

CHUCK:Don’ttellmetocalmdown!Don’t-ever-tellmewhattodo!(GlancesatRUSTY,WENDYJOandURLEEN),Iknowwhatyourfriendsthinkofme.Andthat’scrap.I’mthebestpartyinthistown,baby,andthosethreedogsoughtabetiedupundertheporch.Let’sgo.

ARIEL:No.

CHUCK:Getinthetruck.

ARIEL:No!

CHUCK:Excuseme?

ARIEL:Isaid,“No.”Whatpartofthatdon’tyouunderstand?

CHUCK:(fondlesher)Oh,whenthepreacher’sdaughtersays“no”,itjustmakesmehot.Sayitagain,baby.

ARIEL:Leavemealone,Chuck.Don’t!

REN:Ibelievetheladysaid,“No.”

CHUCK:AndIbelievethisisnoneofyourbusiness.

ARIEL:Ren,don’t…

CHUCK:Ariel,whoinvitedthisclown?

REN:Oh,I’msorry!We’veneverbeenformallyintroduced.(ExtendshishandatCHUCK’seye-level.)RenMcCormack.

CHUCK:Getyourhandouttamyface.Andgetyourfaceouttamysight.

(CHUCKsmacksREN’shandaway;WILLARDleapsup.)

WILLARD:Hey,Chuck!Youlookingforafight?Let’sparty!

REN:Willard!Willard,don’tlosemethisjob…!

WILLARD:Aw,man,letmenailhim!I’llnailhim…!

(CHUCKandWILLARDhaveasmallmatchwhichRENtriestosubdue.OTHERSjoinin.BETTYBLAST,ownerofthediner,rollsoncarefully,wearingaBurgerBlastuniform.She’stoooldtoskatebuttooornerytoadmitit.)

BETTY:Hey…hey…HEY!(EVERYONEstops)Wegotaproblemhere?

REN:Notatall,ma’am.Meandtheguyswerejustdiscussingthecomfortandsafetyofoneofyourvaluedcustomers.

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(ARIELANDTHEGIRLSchuckle;CHUCKturnsonARIEL.)

CHUCK:What?Youthinkthat’sfunny?

BETTY:Cranston!Yourpick-uptruckisinthehandicappedparking,whichisaspacewereserveforpeoplewithphysical,notemotional,disabilites.

(CHUCK,humiliated,hasnogracefulwayout.)

CHUCK:Youhaven’tseenthelastofme,McCormack.

(HeshovesRENasheexits.)

WILLARD:CanIpleasekickhiminthenuts?!

BETTY:Willard!What’sthatyourmamasays?“Beforeyoumakeafist,makesureit’syourfight.”

WILLARD:Yesma’am.

BETTY:Well,thisisnotyourfight.Now,don’ttherestofyouhaveacurfew?(WehearCHUCK’struckvaroomawayastheCROWDdisperses.ARIELlingers.)AndMcCormack?

REN:(Expectingtheworst.)Iknow,ma’am.I’llturninmyskates.

BETTY:Listentome.I’llseeyouhereafterschooltomorrow.

REN:Really?SoI’mnotfired?

BETTY:Notyet.Now,gimmeapush,honey.

REN:Yes,ma’am.(Shecrouches,armsextended;RENgivesherashoveandBETTYglidesoffstage.)

BETTY:Thankyou!

(RENandARIELareleftalone.RENtakesoffhisskates.)

ARIEL:Youareeitherverybraveorverystupid.

REN:Whichdoyouthink?

ARIEL:(abeat–thinking)Ihaven’tmadeupmymind.

REN:Thankyou…?

ARIEL:Youknow,Chuck’snotgoingtoforgetthis.Heholdsontogrudges…(aside)likeeverymanIknow.

REN:Huh?(didn’thearthelastpart.)

ARIEL:(Changingthesubject.)Nothing.Wannaseesomething?

REN:Don’tyouhaveacurfew?

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ARIEL:(Mockserious.)Ooh,you’reright!(Scoffs)Please.Mydaddyinventedit.Butdon’tyouthinkrulesaremadetobebroken?Comeon!

ACTONE-SCENE7:THEGREATPLAINSOFBOMONT

(SOUNDCUE:AtrainwhistleapproachesthenfadesasARIELpullsRENalong.Asthewhistlegetslouder,ARIELwails,longandloudly,joininghervoicewiththewhistleasitracesbyandfades.)

ARIEL:Aah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h!!!

REN:Whatareyoudoing?

ARIEL:I’mansweringthetrain.I’msaying,“Ican’twaitforthedaywhenIgetonboardandleaveBomont!”Tryit!

REN:No,thanks.Ijustate.Youarereallysomething.

ARIEL:Whaddyamean?

REN:Imeanthewholepackage.Minister’skid,ChuckCranston’sgirlfriend.

ARIEL:Guilty.

REN:Justachurchgoin’galwithsomekillerredcowboyboots.

ARIEL:Mydaddyhatesmewearingtheseboots.

(RENsitsontheground;ARIELeventuallysitsnearby.)

REN:Andyoulovethat,don’tyou.Gettingupinhisface?

ARIEL:Thatwayhe’llnoticewhenI’mgone.

REN:Where’reyougonnago?

ARIEL:College,forstarters.I’veappliedtosomeplacesmydaddydoesn’tevenknowabout.Iwannaspeakfivelanguagesandseetheworld.HewantsmetoteachEnglishLitinBaylorCounty.(beat)Theydon’tevenspeakEnglishinBaylorCounty.

REN:Ican’tpictureyouasateacher.

ARIEL:Thankyou.NeithercanI.I’llleavethattomydaddy.

REN:He’sapreacher,notateacher.

ARIEL:Whenyou’regoodatit,it’sthesamething.Andheusedtoberealgood.

REN:Whatchanged?

ARIEL:Hismind.Heclosedit.

REN:Inoticed.

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ARIEL:Heusedtobesoopen,soinspiring.I’veseenhimgivepeoplehopewhenhopewasgone.I’vewatchedhimchangelives.

REN:Ifyoulovehimsomuch,whydoyouwannatickhimoff?

ARIEL:Ididn’tsayIlovehim.

REN:Boy,doIknowwhatyoumean.Mydad…(RENshakeshishead.)

ARIEL:Yeah,whathappenedthere?

REN:Hewalkedout.Onedayhejustwalkedoutthedoor.Nogood-bye.Nothing.

ARIEL:Whew.Ibetyou’vegotlotstosaytohim.

REN:Lots.

ARIEL:Likewhat?

REN:(Suddenlyself-conscious.)No,Icouldn’t…

ARIEL:Tellittothetrain.Ido.

(RENconsidershersuggestion.Then,inimitationofARIEL’searlierwail,heyellstowardanimaginarytrain.)

REN:Aah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h!HowcanyoubesostupidtoleaveMomandme?I…hate…you!

(Spent,hedropstothegroundnearher;neitherspeaks.)

MUSIC7:ThePlainsofBomont

ARIEL:Feelbetter?

REN:I’mnotsure.(Theirfacesareclose)

ARIEL:Doyouwannakissme?

REN:(Startled,amused.)Someday.

ARIEL:“Someday”.Whatdoyoumean,“Someday?”

REN:I’vegotafeelingyou’vebeenkissedalot.I’mafraidI’dsufferbycomparison.

ARIEL:Youdon’tthinkmuchofme,doyou?

REN:Oh.IthinkofyoumorethanIexpected.(beat)C’mon.I’llwalkyouhome.

MUSIC7A:SceneChange(“Somebody’sEyes”)

(CHUCKentersandspiesonRENandARIELastheywalk.RUSTY,WENDYJO,andURLEENenterelsewhere.)

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RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:SOMEBODY’SEYESAREWATCHING.SOMEBODY’SEYESAREFOLLOWINGEVERYMOVESOMEBODY’SWAITINGTOSHOWTHEYDON’TAPPROVE

(TheGIRLSexit.)

ACTONE-SCENE8:TheMooreHome

(VI,ELEANOR,COACHDUNBAR,andPRINCIPALCLARKsitaroundthekitchentableplayingcards.SHAWpeersoutawindow.)

COACH:Okay,let’ssee…Harry,youoweEleanor…

ELEANOR:…seventyfivecents.(ToSHAW)AndReverend,youowemeabuckandaquarter.

SHAW:(Turningfromthewindow.)Eleanor,whyisitthatmyprayersalwaysseemtofailmeatthebridgetable?

(EVERYONElaughs.Justoutside,RENresistsasARIELdragshimintothehouse.)

ARIEL:No,c’mon!Justsay“hello”toeverybody.(RENandARIELentertheroom;theADULTSallstop.)Hi!YouallknowRenMcCormack.Daddy-Ren.

REN:Hey!ReverendMoore!How’sitgoin’?PrincipalClark-CoachDunbar!

ARIEL:Hi,Mrs.Dunbar.

REN:Mrs.Moore.

VI:Welcome,Ren.

REN:Whoa!Pokernight!Cool!

COACH:Ariel!Allthistimewethoughtyouwereupstairsinyourroom.

PRINCIPAL:Doingyourhomework.

SHAW:(Genial,butpointed)It’shardtoimposeacurfewontheyoungpeopleofmycongregationwhenIcan’tseemtoenforceoneinmyownhome.

REN:Well,what’sthatoldexpression?“It’stheshoemaker’schildrenwhoalwaysgobarefoot.”

(Noonelaughs;suddenlyELEANORgaspsandglancesatherwristwatch.)

ELEANOR:Oh,willyoulookatthetime!

(TheADULTSabruptlystandandexit.VIwalksthemout.RENstaysbehindwithARIELandSHAW.)

REN:Boy,Icansureemptyaroom.

SHAW:It’sararetalent.

REN:I’mgonnatakethatasacompliment.

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SHAW:(Withasmile)Oh?Icanassureyou,itwasnotmeantthatway.

(RENmimesbeingimpaledinthechestbyanarrow.)

REN:THHHWUMP!(Mimespullingoutthearrow.)Arrrgggh!(OfferingittoSHAW)Ibelievethisisyours.

(SHAWisnotamused;ARIELtriestorescuethemoment.)

ARIEL:Ren!Thanksfor…youknow..

REN:Walkingyouhome?

ARIEL:Yeah.That,too.

(AsRENstartsout,heturnstoSHAWonemoretime.)

REN:Well,Reverend.Thiswasfun,donchathink?

(SHAWstares.Afteranuncomfortablepause,RENducksout.)

MUSIC7B:Somebody’sEyesReprise

(RUSTY,WENDYJO,andURLEENenter.)

RUSTY/URLEEN/WENDYJO:SOMEBODY’SEYESARESEEINGYOUCOMEANDGO

(RENjoinsVIoutside.)

REN:Boy,Ireallyblewitinthere,didn’tI?

VI:(Amused)Yeah.Youdid.

REN:Igetnervous,Igocrazy,andIalwaysendupputtingmyfootinmymouth.

VI:Yourmothersaidyouweregoodatit,butIhadnoidea.(Theyshareasmalllaugh.)

REN:G’night,Mrs.Moore.

VI:Goodnight.(RENrunsoff.VIre-entersthehouse.)

RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:SOMEBODYSOMEBODYSOMEBODYSOMEBODY’SEYES

(TRAVIS,LYLE,andCHUCKenter,observingREN’sdeparture.)

CHUCK/LYLE/TRAVIS:WHOA-OH!I’MGONNAPUNCHOUTSOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY’SEYES

(TheypullskimasksovertheirfacesastheyraceafterREN.)

RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:WHOA-OH

(TheyexitasVIobservesSHAWandARIEL.)

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SHAW:Idon’twantyoutoseehimagain.

ARIEL:Ren?Why?Justbecausehehasn’tlivedinthistownhiswholelife?

SHAW:That’snotit.But,clearlytheboyhasnorespectforauthority.Andeveryonetellsmehe’satroublemaker.

ARIEL:Who’s“everyone?”(Referstothecardtable.)TheBridgeClub?!Gimmeabreak!

SHAW:Ariel!WhatamIgoingtodowithyou?

ARIEL:Me?Daddy,latelyallyoudoislookfortheworstinpeopleandthen,ofcourse,youfindit.

SHAW:My,my,wheredidthatcomefrom?

ARIEL:Fromyou,Daddy!Today’ssermonis:theworldisevil,andArielhastobelockedawayinatower.

SHAW:That’salittlemelodramatic,don’tyouthink?

ARIEL:No,Idon’t.Daddy,youmakemefeellikeaprisoner.AndIhateit!Ijusthateit!

(ARIELexits;SHAWnoticesthatVIhasslippedinandobservedthisfight.)

SHAW:Someone’sgottoputafootdown.

VI:Ididn’tsayanything.

(Sheexits.Frustratedandagitated,SHAWsings:)

MUSIC8:HeavenHelpMe

SHAW:IDON’TENJOYBEINGHERJAILER;IDON’TRELISHTELLINGHER“NO!”BUTTHENITHINK-WHATIFIFAILHER?HOWCANIJUSTLETHERGO?ISTRIVETOBEAGOODPREACHER;ITRYNOTTOGOOVERBOARDBUTTHENITHINK-IFICAN’TREACHHER,HOWCANIFACEMYLORD?HEAVENHELPMESHOULDERMYLOAD.EVERYDAY’SASTRUGGLE,STILL,SOMEONE’SGOTTOTAKETHEHIGHROAD.IFIDON’T,WHOWILL?IBECAMEAMANOFGODTODOHISWORK,TOSPREADHISWORD.TOEASESOMEPAINANDDRYSOMETEARS.THATWASTHEPLAN.BUTIMIGHTHAVETHOUGHTTWICEIFONLYIKNEWTHATI’DSPENDALLOFMYTIMESAYING“AINH,AINH,AINH,NONONO!DON’TDOTHAT!”SEE,EVERYONEPRAYSFORSALVATION.I’MHAPPYTOGIVETHEMTHETOOLS.THEPROBLEMIS-HERE’SMYFRUSTRATION-NOBODYWANTSTOHAVERULES.SOHEAVENHELPMEWITHMYLABORS,HOWCANYOUEXPECTONEMANTOSAVEHISFAMILYANDHISNEIGHBORS?HEAVENHELPME.OHHEAVENHELPME.IFHEAVENCAN’T,WHOCAN?(Heexits.)

MUSIC8A:OnAnySundayMarch

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ACTONE-SCENE9:TheHighSchoolGym/TheChurch

(KIDSareinthemiddleofgymclass.WILLARDandARIELenterwithREN;hehasabandageabovehisblackenedeye,andonehandiswrapped.)

COACH:(Blowinghiswhistle)McCormack!Youandyourfriendsarelate.

ARIEL:Coach,Renishurt.Lookathiseye!

WILLARD:(HoldingupRen’shand)Andhishand!He’sallbangedup.

REN:It’snothing.Iwasjust…

COACH:Please!Don’twasteyourbreathormytimewithanotherlameexcuse.

ARIEL:It’snotanexcuse!AfterRenwalkedmehomelastnight,someguysjumpedhim.

WILLARD:Theyjuststartedwailingonhim!Therewaslike,sixofthem!

REN:Willard!Willard,itwasthreeguys.

COACH:Anybodyyouknow?

REN:Well,Ididn’ttakenames,ifthat’swhatyoumean.

ARIEL:Theywerewearingmasks.

COACH:McCormack,itseemsthatwhenyou’renotmakingtrouble,itfindsyouanyway.(TurningtoARIEL)AndAriel,Iwouldencourageyoutostayawayfromthisguy.I’vebeenaskedtokeepmyeyeonyouand…

ARIEL:Oh!Myfathercalledyou.Surprise,surprise.

COACH:…andifyoucooperate,itwillmakeallofourlivesmucheasier.

REN:Gee,ifmydaddymakesaphonecall,willyougetoffamyback?

COACH:Thatmouthofyoursisprobablywhatmadeyourdaddywalkoutinthefirstplace.

(RENstartstolungeatCOACH;beforehecanconnect,WILLARDgrabshim.)

WILLARD:Counttoten,man!Mamasaysjustcounttoten.(RENstopsstruggling.)

COACH:You’dbewisetotakeyourfriend’sadvice.(TurningtoARIEL)Ariel,getbacktopractice.(ToREN)AndMcCormack.Getdownandgivemethirty.

REN:(Holdsuphisbandagedhand.)You’rejoking!

COACH:You’reright.Makeitfifty.

(AfewKIDSnoticethis.)

WILLARD:He’snotfaking,Coach.He’sreallyhurting.

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COACH:Thankyouforyourdiagnosis,Dr.Willard.Youcangivemefiftyaswell.(SomeoftheGUYSlaugh;toEVERYONE.)Asamatteroffact,youcanallgivemefifty.CourtesyofMr.McCormack.(EVERYONEgrumbles.)Justdoit.(TheyALLgetdownintopositionanddopush-upsasCOACHcounts.)Andone,two…Ican’thearyou!

ALL:Three…four…

COACH:Onlyforty-sixmore.(Heexits;EVERYONEcontinuestodopushups.)

ALL:Five…six…

STELLA:Ishegone?

ALL:Seven…eight…

GRADY:Yeah.He’sgone.(TheyALLcollapse.)Hey,Ren,thanksalot.

REN:Sorry,guys.It’sjustthatthiswholetownissowouldup.

WILLARD:Amen!

REN:Youguyshavenotplacetoblowoffanysteam.

GRADY:Yousaidit!

REN:AtleastinChicagowecouldgototheclubs.

WILLARD:Hey!MaybeweoughtataketheCoachdancing!

REN:(chuckling)Willard,youareso…

(Hisvoicetrailsoffashegetsanidea;WILLARDnoticesREN’sdistraction.)

MUSIC9-I’mFree/HeavenHelpMe

WILLARD:What?What’reyouthinking?

REN:That’sit!

WILLARD:What?

REN:We’regonnathrowadance!We’regonnathrowapartythat’sgonnaknockBomontrightoffitstractor.

(Generalskepticalreaction.)

POLLY:You’rejustaskingforafight.

REN:Bringiton!

STELLA:AreyoureadytotakeonReverendMoore?

REN:I’lltakeonanybody!

POLLY:WhatabouttheTownCouncil?

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REN:I’llfightCityHall!Ifthere’sonethingworthfightingfor,it’sfreedom!

LOOKINGINTOYOUREYESIKNOWI’MRIGHTIFTHERE’SANYTHINGWORTHAFEAR,IT’SWORTHAFIGHTNOONECANTIEMYHANDSORMAKEMECHANGEMYPLANSI’MCROSSIN’THELINE,JUMPIN’THETRACKTAKIN’WHAT’SMINEANDNOTLOOKIN’BACKHEAVENHELPSTHEMANWHOFIGHTSHISFEAREVERYDAYIFACEANEWFRONTIERICAN’TWORRYWHATTHEWORLDWILLSAYIMAYFLYORFALLBUTEITHERWAYI’MFREE!

WILLARD:Ren,You’renotfree-you’recrazy!Youknowthere’salaw!

REN:Well,maybethatlawneedschanging.

RUSTY:Hello?BomontisnevergonnaletusforgetthePotawneyBridgeAccident.

(Generalagreement.)

REN:Howlongdoyouhavetoliveinthatshadow?There’sgottabeawayoutofthis.

ARIEL:Andtheonlywayoutofthisisbytrain.

REN:No!Listen-RUNNINGAWAYWILLNEVERMAKEYOUFREE

ARIEL:DOESN’TMATTERWHEREYOUGO,IGUARANTEE

REN:LONGASWEHOLDOURGROUNDWECANNOTBEBOUNDWE’RESHAKIN’THEPAST,MAKIN’OURBREAKSTAKIN’CONTROLIFTHAT’SWHATITTAKES

REN/ARIEL:HEAVENHELPSTHEMANWHOFIGHTSHISFEARWECANFACEITDOWNRIGHTNOW,RIGHTHEREONCEYOU’RESTANDINGONYOUROWNTWOFEETYOUWILLNOTRETREATIFYOUREPEAT:(Shouting)I’MFREE!

REN:C’mon!Tryit!

KIDS:(tentatively)I’MFREE.

REN:(imitatingSHAW,booming)“LettheLordhearyourvoice!”

KIDS:I’MFREE!

REN:Yeah!

KIDS:WE’RESHAKIN’THEPAST,MAKIN’OURBREAKSTAKIN’CONTROLIFTHAT’SWHATITTAKES!I’MFREE!

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(Asthenumberprogresses,theKIDSworkoutturnsrhythmicand,ultimately,exuberant,asRENinvolveseveryoneinhiscampaign.)

HEAVENHELPSTHEMANWHOFIGHTSHISFEARWECANFACETHISDOWNRIGHTNOW,RIGHTHEREMAYBEWECANFINALLYRIGHTTHISWRONGARMINARM,ANDSIDEBYSIDE,WE’RESTRONGANDFREE!

(ThesceneshiftstorevealSHAW,mid-sermon,andthePARISHIONERS.)

SHAW:Andnowwordcomestomethatsomeyoungpeopleinourcommunitywanttochangeourlawandthrowadance.Thismorninglet’sremindourselvesthatthislawisnotaboutdancing.Thislawisatribute--atributetofouryoungpeoplewhoheldthepromiseofBomont’sbrightestfuture…

KIDS:HEAVENHELPSTHEMAN

PARISHIONERS:OOHH--

SHAW:...andwestandunitedinhonoringtheirmemory.

(ALLsingthefollowingsectionssimultaneously.)

KIDS:WECANFACEITDOWN

PARISHIONERS:YOUWILLSEEUSRAISINGOURVOICES ALLOFOURVOICESFORHEAVENSAKES WEWILLBERELEASED

SHAW:HEAVENHELPME,SOMEONE’SGOTTOSAVEHISNEIGHBORS HEAVENHELPME,OHHEAVENHELPME IFHEAVENCAN’T,WHOCAN?

REN/KIDS:RIGHTNOW,RIGHTHERE,MAKINGOURBREAKS FORHEAVENSAKES,HEAVENHELPSTHEMAN HEAVENHELPSTHEMAN,HEAVENHELPSTHEMAN--I’MFREE!

(RENandSHAWdefiantlyfaceoffassongends.)

ENDOFACTONE

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ACTII

MUSIC10:StillRockin’

(ARIEL,REN,WILLARDandRUSTYrushon,excitedandcurious.Asignoverheadannounces“THEBAR-B-Q!MUSIC!DANCING!”)

ARIEL:Ren!Wherehaveyoubroughtus?

REN:It’scalledtheBar-B-Que!Thebillboardssaythatit’sthefinestlittledancepalaceinthetri-countyarea.Thinkofitasresearch.

RUSTY:Thenwhatarewewaitingfor?(Theystartoff;RUSTYdragsWILLARD.)

WILLARD:Ohno…

ACTTWO-SCENE1:TheBar-B-Que

(Couplestwo-steptotheliveband,asleadvocalistCOWBOYBOBsings.)

COWBOYBOB:WOKEUPINTHEDAYLIGHT DON’TREMEMBERLASTNIGHT;IJUSTKNOWIWASN’TALONE IPARTIEDINTHEFASTLANE,IWASFEELIN’NOPAIN SOMEBODYCARRIEDMEHOME NOWIKICKOFFTHESHEETS,RUNFORTHESTREETS I’VEGOTTAPUNCHACLOCK,BUTMYKNEESAREGOINGONEWAY--WHOO! ANDMYFEETWON’TSTOP,GIMMEROOMCUZI’M

(REN,ARIEL,RUSTY,andWILLARDenter,windingtheirwaythroughthedancingcrowd.)

STILLROCKIN,STILLROCKIN’,GOINGSTRONG STILLGOTTHEHEAT,I’MKEEPINGTHEBEAT CUZITFEELSSOGOOD OHISWEARTHATITBEATSWALKIN’,I’MSTILLROCKIN’ ALLDAYLONG,SHAKIN’MYSHOES I’MSPREADINGTHENEWSTHATI’MFEELINGSOGOOD

REN:Lookatthis!WhatcouldBomonthaveagainstdancing?Isn’tthisworthfightingfor?

RUSTY:Wow!Who’dhaveguessedthatamerehundredmilesoutsideofBomontyoucouldfindthismuchculture?

ARIEL:Andthismuchfun.

REN:Comeon.Let’sgobreakalaw.(HetakesARIEL’shand,andtheydanceintothecrowd.)

RUSTY:Willard!Youwannadance?

WILLARD:FirstthingIwannadoisfindusaplacetositdown!(Hecrossesaway;RUSTYsags,frustrated.)

COWBOYBOB:SOMETHIN’INTHEOZONE SHIVERSUPMYBACKBONE,MAKIN’MEROCKANDROLL

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ISHIMMYUPTHESIDEWALKFASTERTHANATICK-TOCK PEOPLETHINKI’MOUTTACONTROL HA,BUTDON’TWORRYNONE,I’MJUSTHAVIN’FUN AIN’TGONNALOSEMYMIND ANDIFANYBODYASKSYOU,TELL‘EMTHATI’MDOIN’FINE

(Asthebandcontinues,COWBOYBOBjumpsoffthebandstand,pullsRUSTYontothedancefloor,andspinsheraroundnoneofwhichislostofWILLARD.)

COWBOYBOB&BANDMEMBERS: TELLTHEMALLTHATI’MSTILLROCKIN’ STILLROCKIN’,GOIN’STRONG STILLGOTTHEHEAT,I’MKEEPIN’THEBEAT CUZITFEELSSOGOOD OHISWEARTHATITBEATSWALKIN’,I’MSTILLROCKIN’ ALLDAYLONGSHAKIN’MYSHOES I’MSPREADIN’THENEWS…THATI’MFEELINSOGOOD

COWBOYBOB:(toRUSTY)Hey,you’regood!(looksherupanddown)Andyouarefine!

RUSTY:Thisisincredible!Ihaven’tbeenabletodancelikethisforyears.

COWBOYBOB:Wheretheheckyoubeenlivin’?Bomont?

RUSTY:Yup.

COWBOYBOB:Nokiddin’!Well,darling,nowonderyou’resoeagertodosometail-shaking.

BANDMEMBERS: COWBOYBOB:LORDISWEARTHATIT BEATSWALKIN’ YEAH,I’MSTILLROCKIN’I’MSTILLROCKIN’ALLDAYLONG ALLDAYLONGSHAKIN’MYSHOES I’MSPREADIN’THENEWSI’MSPREADIN’THENEWSTHATI’MFEELINGSOGOOD THATI’MFEELIN’SOGOOD!

(Thenumberends.Thecrowdapplauds;thebandplaysaslowsongandCOWBOYBOBpullsRUSTYtodance.)

Music10A:Underscore

COWBOYBOB:Now,wherewerewe?(Theyslowdance;WILLARDwatchesforamomentthenangrilystepsup.)

WILLARD:Hey!Shecamewithme,Cowboy.

COWBOYBOB:Yeah?Well,weallmakemistakes.

WILLARD:Andwhatisthatsupposedtomean?

RUSTY:Willard!Hewasjustbeingfriendly!

WILLARD:Oh,yeah?(Fistsclenched,WILLARDstepsuptoCOWBOYBOB,whogentlystopshim.)

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COWBOYBOB:Look,son,it’smuchtooearlyintheeveningtogetbloodonthatprettylittleshirtofyours.(toRUSTY)Andma’am?Mycondolences.(HetipshishattoRUSTYandstridesaway.)

WILLARD:Whatdoeshemeanbythat?Hey!Hey!Yougotsomethingtosay?

(RENandARIELnoticethecommotionandrushtoWILLARDandRUSTY.)

RUSTY:Willard.HeyWillard!IknowwhoIcamewith,okay?

WILLARD:Oh.Okay.

RUSTY:Now,c’mon.Let’sdance.

WILLARD:Uh-h-h...IthinkI’mgonnagetmeabeer.

RUSTY:Oh,comeon!

WILLARD:Renyouwantabeer?

ARIEL:Holdon!Who’sgonnadrive?

RUSTY:I’lldrive.

REN:Soundsgood.ThenI’llhaveabeer.

WILLARD:Okay.That’stwobeers.

RUSTY:Iwannadance!Iwannadance!

WILLARD:I’veonlygottwohands!Ren,couldyouhelpmeouthere?

REN:(aside,toARIEL)Couldyouexcusemeaminute?(hecrossesawaywithWILLARD.RUSTYgrowlsinexasperation.)

RUSTY:Arrgh!

ARIEL:Letmeguess.Willard’sactingweird.

RUSTY:Soit’snotjustme?

ARIEL:Rusty,youandWillardhavebeenweirdsincekindergarten.

RUSTY:Buttonightisdifferent.Thisisthefirsttimewe’veeverleftBomonttogether.(gasps)Maybewedon’ttravelwell.

ARIEL:Rusty,it’sjustacarride!

RUSTY:(frenetic)Butthatmakesitlikeafirstdate,donchasee?Oh,Ishould’veseenthesigns.ThewholewayuphereIhadtodoallthetalking.Allhesaidwas,“Uh-huh,mmm-hmmm,uh-huh,mmm-hmmm.”Youknowwhatthatmeans,doncha?Mybaby’sinapanic!

ARIEL:Now,don'tmakeyourselfcrazy.Comeon,I’lldancewithyou.(Theyjointhetwo-steppin’crowd;lightscomeuponRENandWILLARD.)

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REN:Youokay?Youseemjumpy.

WILLARD:That’swhyI’mhavingabeer.MamasaysIcanhaveonebeeroronecigarette,butifIhavebothIshouldnevercomehomeagain.

REN:Willard,c’mon.What’sup?YoufinallygooutonadatewithRusty…

WILLARD:Holdon,holdon!Isthisadate?Youaskedmetogoforaride.YoutoldArieltoinviteRusty.It’smorelikeI’monadatewithyou.

REN:Andyoulooksohandsometonight.

WILLARD:Thankyou.Butyoustuckmeinthebackseatwithacrazywomanwhowon’tstopmovingandtalking!

REN:She’sexcitedtobewithyou.

WILLARD:Oh,well.Sure.That.Buttheproblemis…

REN:Yes?

WILLARD:Betweenyouandme?

REN:Uh-huh?

WILLARD:(withdifficulty)Ican’tdoit.

REN:Youcan’tdo“it?”

WILLARD:No,sir.

REN:Well,that’sokay,Willard.It’sonlythefirstdate.

WILLARD:Right.

REN:Youdon’thavetodo“it”onthefirstdate.EveninChicagosomepeopledon’tdoitonthefirstdate.

WILLARD:Really?

REN:Iswear.

WILLARD:Well,thatmakesmefeelalotbetter.

REN:Great!Thenlet’sdance!

WILLARD:Dance?Dance?!WhattheheckdoyouthinkI’mtalkingabout?

REN:Whenyousaidyoucouldn’tdo“it,”Ithoughtyoumeant…

WILLARD:What?(itdawnsonhim)Oh,that?!Hahaha!Anyidiotcandothat.Ican’tdothis.Ican’tdance!

(EverybodyturnstoWILLARDandfreezes;fromacrossthedancefloorRUSTYwails.)

RUSTY:Whaaat?!

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(TheGIRLSrushtoher;theGUYSconvergeonWILLARD.)

COWBOYBOB:(toRUSTY)D’jahearthat?Yourboyfriendsayshecan’tdance!

REN:Nowc’mon!Givetheguyabreak.

COWBOYBOB:Butthatain’tnatural!

PATSY:It’slikeridingabike.

BABS:Orfallingoffalog.

COWBOYBOB:It’saseasyaslearningtoswim.

WILLARD:Ican’tswim.

COWBOYBOB:Hey,fellas!Whaddyasaywepush‘iminthepool?!

MUSIC11:Let’sHearitFortheBoy

(TheGUYSandRENpullWILLARDintoahuddle;lightsdownonthem,asthefocusshiftstothegirls.Thewisecrackin’COWGIRLCASSIEquestionsRUSTY.)

COWGIRLCASSIE:Darlin’,darlin’,yourboyfriendhastwoleftfeetandyouhadnoidea?

RUSTY:None.

COWGIRLCASSIE:Didn’thenevertakeyouinhisarmsandsweepyouoffyourfeet?

RUSTY:Notyet.

COWGIRLCASSIE:Didn’theneverwhispersweetnothingsinyourear?

RUSTY:No!Butthat’snothowitiswithmeandWillard.(TheGIRLSallscoff.)No,really!Willardhasalotofhiddentalents.Imean,justlookathim.

(TheyturntowatchasthecowboycircleopenstorevealRENshowingWILLARDarudimentarystep;WILLARDfailsmiserably;themusicstops.RENpullsWILLARDbackintothecowboyhuddle.TheGIRLSturntoRUSTY.)

COWGIRLCASSIE:Uhh...youweresaying?

(RUSTYsmilessheepishly,thensuddenlyturnsfrontandsings.)

RUSTY:MYBABY,HEDON’TTALKSWEET;HEAIN'TGOTMUCHTOSAYBUTHELOVESME,LOVESME,LOVESMEIKNOWTHATHELOVESMEANYWAY

(Again,focusshiftstoRENandWILLARD.RENdemosastep,andWILLARDcrashestothefloortryingtoduplicateit.TheGUYSpickhimupandpullhimbacktotheirhuddle;RUSTYtriestocoverforhim.)

ANDMAYBEHEDON’TDRESSFINE,BUTIDON’TREALLYMIND CUZEVERYTIMEHEPULLSMENEAR,IJUSTWANNACHEER

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LET’SHEARITFORTHEBOY!LET’SGIVETHEBOYAHAND LET’SHEARITFORMYBABY!YOUKNOWYOUGOTTAUNDERSTAND

(Asthesongprogresses,WILLARDwillgetmoreambitiousandsuccessfulinimitatingthestepsRENandthecowboysdemonstrateforhim.Whathelacksinstyle,hewillmakeupforinenthusiasm.TheGIRLSsingback-upvocalsforRusty.)

RUSTY:MYBABYMAYNOTBERICH, GIRLS:MYBABY HE’SWATCHINGEVERYDIME HE’SWATCHINGEVERYDIME BUTHELOVESME,LOVESME,LOVESME LOVESME,LOVESME,LOVESMEWHOAWHOA ANDWEALWAYSHAVEAREALGOODTIME ANDMAYBEHESINGSOFFKEY, ANDMAYBEBUTTHAT’SALLRIGHTBYME,YEAH THAT’SALLRIGHTBYMEYEAH CUZWHATHEDOES,HEDOESSOWELL,MAKESMEWANNAYELL

RUSTY/GIRLS:LET’SHEARITFORTHEBOY!LET’SGIVETHEBOYAHAND LET’SHEARITFORMYBABY!YOUKNOWYOUGOTTAUNDERSTAND WHOA,MAYBEHE’SNOROMEO,BUTHE’SMYLOVIN’ONE-MANSHOW OH,WHOAWHOAWHOA,LET’SHEARITFORTHEBOY!MAYBEHE’SNOCASANOVA,STILLHISKISSESKNOCKMEOV-AH! HEARITFORTHEBOY!

RUSTY:LET'SGIVETHEBOYAHAND GIRLS:HEARITFORTHEBOY LET’SHEARITFORMYBABY! HEARITFORMYBABYYOUKNOWYOUGOTTAUNDERSTAND HEARITFORTHEBOY WHOA,MAYBEHE’SNOROMEO BUTHE’SMYLOVIN’ONE-MANSHOW OH,WHOAWHOAWHOA OHWHOA,WHOA,WHOALET’SHEARITFORTHEBOY, HEARITFORTHEBOY WHOA…OH….HEARITFORTHEBOY,HEARITFORTHEBOY

(ThenumberendswithWILLARDwhippingoffadazzlingdancecombination,toeveryone’samazement.)

IRENE:Thatwasfun!Whydon’tweslowthingsdownnowwithalovesong.GrabyoursweetheartandholdthemtightasIrenesingsyoualovesong.

(DuringIrene’ssong,allstarttocoupleupandeventuallydanceoff.)

MUSIC11b:Let’sMakeBelieveWe’reinLove

IRENE:IMAGINETHEBLISSTHATCOMESWITHONEKISSIMAGINETHATFEELINGWON'TENDTHERE'LLBENOTEARSATSTAKEANDNOHEART'SGONNABREAKCUZITNEVERHURTSTOPRETENDLOOKATTHEMOONSLOWLYRISIN'LOOKATTHOSESTARSUPABOVELET'SBEGINWITHHELLO,THENWE'LLSEEWHERETHINGSGOLET'SMAKEBELIEVEWE'REINLOVELET'SMAKEBELIEVEWE'REINLOVE

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ACTTWO-SCENE2:TheMooreHome

(CHUCKisoutside,loudlywhisperinguptoARIEL’Sbedroomwindow.)

CHUCK:Hsst!Ariel!Ariel!

VI:(Inarobe,sheexitsthehouseandcrossestohim)She’snothere,Chuck.

CHUCK:(yelps,startled)Oh…!Mrs.Moore.

VI:DidIscareyou?

CHUCK:(fibbing)Nope.Notatall.DidyoutellArielthat…

VI:Yes,Chuck.I’vetoldhereverytimeyou’vecalled.

CHUCK:Thanks.Iguessshe’sbusyandall.

VI:Mmm.SheandthegirlswentovertoWendyJo’stostudy.

CHUCK:Really?Iwasjustthere.WendyJosaidshelefthoursago.WithRusty.

VI:(surprised)Oh.

SHAW:(entering)Whoisit,Vi?(heseesCHUCK)Mr.Cranston.

CHUCK:Evening,Reverend.IwasjustlookingforAriel.

SHAW:Isn’titabitlate,Mr.Cranston?

CHUCK:Yes,sir.That’swhyI’msurprisedshe’snotathome.

SHAW:(hidinghissurprisewithaquickglanceatVI)SoamI.Goodnight,Mr.Cranston.Andnexttime,pleaseremember,wehaveafrontdoorforguests.

CHUCK:Yes,sir.(Heexits.SHAWandVIcrossintothehouse.)

SHAW:Whereisshe?

VI:ShetoldmeshewasgoingtoWendyJo’s.(SHAWreachesforthephone)Don’tbothercalling.She’snotthere.

SHAW:Didyouknowthis?

VI:No.Ididnot.

SHAW:Sohowdoesitfeel,Vi?Nowthatshe’slyingtoyou?

VI:I’mnotsayinganythinguntilIhearanexplanationfromher.

SHAW:ItwasfrighteningenoughwhenshewasrunningaroundwithChuckCranston.Now,sheisoutinthemiddleofthenight,withthatpunkwho’scampaigningtochallengemeandtheentireTownCouncil.Howlongcanyoukeepdefendingher?

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VI:I’mnotdefendingher.We’renotonoppositesideshere,arewe?Orarewe?

(ARIELrushesin.)

SHAW:Wherewereyou?

ARIEL:Oh,RustyandWendyJoandme,wewere…

SHAW:Don’tevenbother.

VI:Weknowyouweren’tatWendyJo’s.

ARIEL:Ican’tbelieveyou’recheckinguponme.

VI:Sweetie,howdoweknowyou’renotsick?Orhurt?

SHAW:Iamconcernedforyourwell-being.

ARIEL:ThenhowcomewhenI’mathome,you’reneverinterestedinwhatI’mthinkingorhowIfeel?ButtheminuteIwalkoutthatdoor--wham!Suddenly,you’retheconcernedparent!

VI:Shaw,shedoesn’tmeanthat.

SHAW:Stoptakingherside!Shehastostartansweringforherself.

ARIEL:Idon'tknowwhatgoodthatwoulddo.Youdon’tlistentomeanymorethanyoulistentoher!

(SHAWslapsARIEL.)

VI:Shaw!

(Itisanawfulmoment.Thereisstunnedsilence.Finally,ARIELturnsandrunsout.SHAWisshaken.)

SHAW:I’veneverhitanyone.

VI:Iknow.

SHAW:We’relosingher,Vi.Shehasbecomewillfulandobstinate.

VI:(kindly)Likeherfather.

SHAW:Iamherspiritualguardian.

VI:Youusedtobeherfriend.

SHAW:Idon’tunderstandwhat’shappening.Idon’tknowwhattodoanymore.

VI:Yes,youdo.

MUSIC12:CanYouFindItInYourHeart?

VI:CANYOUFINDITINYOURHEARTTOFORGIVEHER?CANYOUSTOPANDSEETHERE’SPARTOFHERTHAT’STRYINGTOOBEY

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WHILEPARTOFHERISDYINGTORUNAWAY?CAN’TYOUHEARWHATSHE’STRYINGTOSAY?CANYOUFINDITINYOURSOULTOACCEPTHER?IFSHESTUMBLESONYOURHOLYPATH,DOYOUHAVETOREPRIMAND?ORARETHEREWAYSTOMAKEHERUNDERSTANDWITHOUTUSINGTHEBACKOFYOURHAND?CAN’TYOUREMEMBERWHENWEWERETHATAGE?PUMPEDUPWITHPROMISEANDWRESTLINGWITHRAGE?CAN’TYOUREMEMBERWHENWEWEREAFAMILYWAYBACKWHEN?COULDWEBEONEAGAIN?

(Themusiccontinuesunder.)

SHAW:Weareafamily.

VI:No.Theaccidentchangedeverything.EversinceBobby’sdeath,youmakeimpossibledemandsonAriel.

SHAW:IhavenotconfusedAriel’sbehaviorwithmyson’sdeath.

VI:Hewasmyson,too!(pause)Shaw,it’sbeentwenty-oneyearsI’vebeenaminister’swife,andafterallthattime,Istillfeelthatyou’reawonderfulpreacher.Youcanliftacongregationupsohigh,theyhavetolookdowntoseeheaven.It’stheone-on-onewhereyouneedalittlework.

SHAW:Ithoughtatleastyoubelievedinme.

VI:Ineverstopped.(Heexits,leavingVIgazingoffafterhim.)DOESITEVERCROSSYOURMINDTHATIMISSYOU?ISTHEREANYCHANCEWE’LLFINDTHEJOYTHATWESHAREDATTHESTART?CANYOUREMEMBERWHATYOUFELTBEFORETHATFEELINGFELLAPART?CANYOUFINDITINYOURHEART?HAVEYOULOSTMYLOVESOMEWHEREFARBEHINDORCANYOUFINDITINYOURHEART?

MUSIC:12A:Transition

MUSIC12B:ChuckAccostsAriel

(Inhalf-light:fromherbedroomwindowARIELdropshershoulderbagtothegroundandclimbsdown;asshepicksupherbagandturns,CHUCKstepsoutoftheshadows,startlingher;defiant,shetriestomovepasthim,buthegrabsherarm.Astruggleensues,andCHUCKdragsARIELoffstageasthesceneshiftsto:)

ActTwo-Scene3:TheJunkYard

(REN,WILLARD,BICKLE,JETERandGARVINandGUYShavebeenmakingcampaignpostersandflyers;paintcans,brushes,andothermaterialslayabout.Asthelightscomeup,they’reallheatedlygivingRENadvice.)

WILLARD:Holdit!Holdit!(Theyquiet)Ren.All’swe’resayin’is,you’regoingtobespeakingtotheTownCouncil,sodon'tmumble.(Theboysallmumble.)Nowdothatlastpartonemoretime.

REN:(takesadeepbreathandbegins)MembersoftheCouncil:Dancingisnotacrime.

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MUSIC12C:DancingisNotaCrime

WILLARD:Yeah.

BICKLE:Yeah.

JETER:Yeah.

GARVIN:Yeah.

REN:YEAH!EVERSINCETHEDAWNOFTIMEIFANYTHING,EVERYBODYHADTHERIGHTTOHOWLATTHEMOONANDTOMOVEALLNIGHTGUYS:AHOOOO,MOVEALLNIGHT

REN:WHENFOLKSWERETRIBAL,BACKBEFORETHEBIBLETHEYWERELIABLETODANCEWHENTHECROPSCAMEINORTHEY’DPULLOUTALLTHESTOPSWHENTHEEARTHWOULDSPIN,ORMAYBE—

GUYS:WHAT?

REN:THEYHADABATTLETOWIN!SOTHEY’DGOTHUMPIN’ONATREETRUNK-

GUYS:THUMPTHUMPTHUMPTHUMP

REN:GROOVIN’TOTHEFREEFUNK

GUYS:YEAH!

REN:ANDJUSTLIKETHAT

GUYS:INNOTHIN’FLAT

REN:THERE’DBEHANDSCLAPPIN’,TOESTAPPIN’,FEETFLAPPIN’,DOGSYAPPIN’,-HEY!ICOULDATOLDYATHATWOULDHAPPEN!THEYWOULDDANCE!

GUYS:THEYWOULDDANCE!

REN:EVERYTIMETHEYHADTHECHANCEWHATEVERTHESEASONORCIRCUMSTANCETHEYFOUNDAREASONTOTHROWAPARTYINTHEIRPANTS

REN/GUYS:SOLET’SDOLIKETHEYDIDANDDANCE,DANCE,DANCE!

(Hefinishes-tada!-readyfortheirapproval.Apregnantpause.GARVINpointsatRENandannounceschildlike:)

GARVIN:Yousaid“partyinyourpants.”(theothersnowexplodeintolaughter)

GUYS:Areyououtofyourmind…?/”Partyintheirpants!”/Whatareyouthinkingman?Etc.

WILLARD:Guys!Coolit!Ren,we’renotsayingthespeechisbad.It’sjustthatit’snogood.

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REN:ThenwhatamIsupposedtosay?I’vere-writtenitninetimes.

WILLARD:Here’sthething:you’regonnabefacingReverendMooreandsomeofthestubbornestpeopleintown.

BICKLE:You’vealreadygotplentyofpeopleboilingmad.

JETER:Yeah!Folksarepickingsides.

GARVIN:Andthey’renotpickingyours.

REN:ThenwhoamIkidding?Thiswholethinghasgottenwayoutofhand.MaybeIoughttoforgetit.

WILLARD:Whoathere,littlebuddy!Wedon’tmeantodiscourageyou.

BICKLE:Afteralltheposterswe’vepainted?

JETER:Alltheflyerswe’vepassedout.

GARVIN:Everybodyatschoolisclimbingthewalls!

WILLARD:So,hanginthere!Youjustgottarethinkyourapproach.Now,Mamasays…

GUYS:NotMamaagain…!WhocareswhatMamasays…?!Oh,man…!Etc.

WILLARD:(silencesthem)Nowholdonjustoneminute!

MUSIC13:MamaSays(YouCan’tBackDown)

WILLARD:EVERYTHINGI’VEEVERLEARNEDTHATGETSMETHROUGHTHEWORST ILEARNEDATMYMAMA’SKNEE NOWANYTIMEI’MTURNEDAROUNDITURNTOMAMAFIRST ANDYOU’DBEWISETOMEMORIZEWHATMAMASAYSTOME (spoken)Mamaain’tbeenwrongyet.AndI’mthelivingproof.

JETER:(toRen)That’skindofafrighteningthought,isn’tit?

WILLARD:Now,listenup! MAMASAYS,DON’TUSEATOASTERWHILESTANDINGINTHESHOWER NOWWHOCANARGUEWITHTHAT? MAMASAYS,DON’THOLDYOURBREATHFORLONGERTHANANHOUR THEWOMANKNOWSWHEREIT’SAT! ANDMAMASAYSITDOESN’TMATTER IFYOU’REAKINGORYOU’REACLOWN? ONCEYOUDRIVEUPAMOUNTAIN YOUCAN’TBACKDOWN

GARVIN:Youcan’tbackdown,Ren!

WILLARD:Now,Ren,you’venotyethadthepleasureofmeetingmyMama,buttheseboyshave.C’monandhelpmeouthere,fellas.

GUYS:MAMASAYS

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WILLARD:DON’TDRINKHOTCOFFEELYINGDOWNINBEDDON’TEVENGIVEITATHOUGHT

GUYS:IT’SAMESS!MAMASAYS

WILLARD:NEVEREATANYTHINGTHAT’SBIGGERTHANYOURHEAD ISSHEAWHIZORWHAT?

GUYS:OH,YES!

WILLARD/GUYS:ANDMAMASAYSITDOESN’TMATTER IFYOU’REAKINGORYOU’REACLOWNONCEYOUDRIVEUPAMOUNTAIN YOUCAN’TBACKDOWN

WILLARD:NOW,MAMAMAKESALOTOFSENSE IFYOUKNOWHOWTOLISTEN;SHEISCLEARANDCONCISE

GUYS:SHE’SCONCISE.AHHH,AHHH

WILLARD:DADDYSAYS,“ILOVEHERSON,BUTSHE’SGOTMARBLESMISSIN’” BUTISAY,“HEY!IT’SFREEADVICE!ANDWHATD’YOUEXPECTATTHATPRICE?”

REN:ThenmaybeyourMamaoughtagivemyspeech.

WILLARD:Oh,heckno!EveryonethinksMama’scrazy.Thepointis,though,she’sgotsomereallygoodideas.Hearme,now--

GUYS:MAMASAYS

WILLARD:WHATYOUBELIEVEINISALLYOUREALLYOWN ANDIBELIEVETHATSHE’SRIGHT

GUYS:MAMASAYS,OOOOOH

WILLARD:IFYOU’VEGOTDOUBTS,WELL,THENBOY,YOU’RENOTALONE JUSTMEANSYOU’REREADYTOFIGHT

WILLARD/GUYS:ANDMAMASAYSITDOESN’TMATTER

WILLARD:IFYOUDRIVEAHARDBARGAINORDRIVEAROUNDTOWN

ALL:ONCEYOUDRIVEUPAMOUNTAIN,YOUCAN’TBACKDOWNONCEYOUDRIVEUPAMOUNTAIN,YOUCAN’TBACKDOWN

WILLARD:Don’tmakemesayitagain!

(ThenumberendsandtheyALLexit.WILLARDre-enterswithREN.)

WILLARD:Ithoughtofonemorething.

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MUSIC13A:MamaSays(Encore)

WILLARD:NOW,MAMASAYS

GUYS:OOOH(Poppingin)

WILLARD:DON’TBUYACHANDELIERUNLESSYOU’VEGOTACEILING Idon’tknowwhatthat’sabout. MAMASAYS,DON’TCHEWONTINFOIL,UNLESSYOULIKETHATFEELING SOMEHOWSHEFIGUREDTHATOUT

WILLARD/GUYS:ANDMAMASAYSITDOESN’TMATTER IFYOU’REAKINGORYOU’REACLOWN ONCEYOUDRIVEUPAMOUNTAIN

WILLARD:REMEMBERBOY,EVERYONE’SCOUNTIN’ONYOU

WILLARD/GUYS:ONCEYOUDRIVEUPAMOUNTAIN,YOUCAN’TBACKDOWN!

WILLARD:That’smyMama!

(Thenumberends.URLEENandWENDYJOrushon.)

URLEEN:Ren!Ren!ThankGodyou’rehere!ChuckandArielgotintoabigfight.

WENDYJO:Chuckbeatherup!Shemighthaveablackeye.

WILLARD:C’monboys.Let’sgetChuck.Rightnow!

(TheystartoffandencounterRUSTYenteringwithARIEL,whoisdabbingatherreddenedeye;hershoulderbagisslungacrossherchest.)

ARIEL:Willard,stop!Pleasedon’t.I’minenoughtroubletonight.Idon’twanttocauseanymore.

RUSTY:Chuck’sbeenangrysincehefoundoutaboutourlittlefieldtriptotheBar-B-QueDancePalace.

ARIEL:(toREN)He“ordered”menottoseeyouanymore.ItoldhimIseewhoIlike,andthenhejuststartedswinging.

REN:Lemmelookatthateye.

ARIEL:I’mjustsomadatmyself.Idon’tknowwhyIwaswithhiminthefirstplace.

REN:Maybeyoushouldseeadoctor.

ARIEL:(pullingaway)I’mfine.

WILLARD:Youwantmetocallyourfolks?

ARIEL:No!Please.Ijustwannabealone.Okay?

RUSTY:Let’sgo,guys.C’mon.(TheyALLexit;RENlingers.)

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REN:Youwantsomecompany?

ARIEL:No.(hestartstogo)Yes.(Hestops.)

REN:You’resure?Imean,Iwon’ttakeitpersonallyif…

ARIEL:(holdingupahand)Shh!

REN:What?

ARIEL:Listen!(SOUNDCUE:awhistleandthedistantrumblingofanapproachingtrain)Comeon!

REN:What?Wherearewegoing…?

ARIEL:You’llmissit!Comeon!

ACTTWO-SCENEFOUR:UndertheTrainBridge

(RENfollowsARIELtounderatrainbridge.Itiscoveredwithgraffiti.Theybracethemselvesasatrainrumblesoverhead;lightsstrobeacrosstheirfaces.Thistime,theybothscreamwithabandon.)

REN/ARIEL:Aah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-hh!!

(Whenthetrainsoundfades,RENlooksaround.)

REN:Whoa!Thisplaceiscoveredwithgraffiti.

ARIEL:It’snotgraffiti.It’spoetry.Icallthisplace,“MyDiary.”

REN:Youcomeallthewayoutheretowritepoems?

ARIEL:Uh-huh.They’realldedicatedtoBobby.

REN:Bobby?Who’sBobby?

ARIEL:Mybrother.

REN:Younevertoldmeyouhaveabrother.

ARIEL:Hadabrother.BobbywasoneofthefourkidswhowentoffthePotawneyBridge.

REN:I’msosorry.

ARIEL:Yep.Oneofthe“fouryoungpeoplewhoheldthepromiseofBomont’sbrightestfuture.”

REN:Whydidn’tIknowthis?

ARIEL:Wenevertalkaboutit.AndonceDaddydecidedthetownneededsaving,henevermentionedBobbyagain.

REN:Youmustmisshimrealbad.

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ARIEL:Itrynottothinkaboutit.

REN:Thatneverworks.I’llbetyouthinkaboutitallthetime.

ARIEL:Howdidyouknowthat?

REN:(pause)Istudyyou.

ARIEL:Ohyeah?Whatdoyousee?

REN:Somebodywho’ssmart.

ARIEL:Thankyou.

REN:Maybealittlebitangry.

ARIEL:Maybealot.

REN:Andsomebodywho’ssad.(beat)Ialwayswonderedwherethatcamefrom.

ARIEL:(touched)Nowyouknow.(They’rebothsilent.Shestartstospeak,butstopsherself.)

MUSIC14:AlmostParadise

REN:What?

ARIEL:I’veneverfeltlikeanyone’severstoppedtoreallylookatme.

REN:Oh,no...You’reonmymindconstantly.

REN:ITHOUGHTTHATDREAMSBELONGEDTOOTHERMENCUZEACHTIMEIGOTCLOSE,THEY’DFALLAPARTAGAIN

ARIEL:IFEAREDMYHEARTWOULDBEATINSECRECY

BOTH:IFACEDTHENIGHTSALONE,OHHOWCOULDIHAVEKNOWNTHATALLMYLIFEIONLYNEEDEDYOUWHOA,ALMOSTPARADISE,WE’REKNOCKINGONHEAVEN’SDOORALMOSTPARADISE;HOWCOULDWEASKFORMORE?ISWEARTHATICANSEEFOREVERINYOUREYES,PARADISE

(ThemusiccontinuesunderasARIELturnstoREN.)

ARIEL:Y’know,youmakemeforgeteverythingthat’swrongwithmylife.

REN:Therearesomethings‘dliketoforget.

ARIEL:Like…?

REN:ThisbattleI’mcausinginBomont!Istilldon’tknowwhatI’mgonnasaytotheTownCouncil.

ARIEL:Oh,thatremindsme.You’llneedthis.(Fromhershoulderbag,shepullsherBiblebristlingwithpaperbookmarks;shehandsittohim.)

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REN:(readingthetitle)TheHolyBible?

ARIEL:Imarkedallthepages.

REN:(flippingthrough,reading)Whoa!Thisisgreat.Howdidyouknowwheretofindallthesepassages?

ARIEL:Areyoukidding?

REN:(realizingshe’sthepreacher’sdaughter)Oh.Thankyou.

ARIEL:ITHOUGHTTHATPERFECTLOVEWASHARDTOFINDI’DALMOSTGIVENUP;YOUMUSTHAVEREADMYMIND

REN:ANDALLTHOSEDREAMSISAVEDFORARAINYDAY

BOTH:THEY’REFINALLYCOMINGTRUE,I’LLSHARETHEMALLWITHYOUCUZNOWWEHOLDTHEFUTUREINOURHANDSWHOA,ALMOSTPARADISE;WE’REKNOCKINGONHEAVEN’SDOORALMOSTPARADISE,HOWCOULDWEASKFORMORE?ISWEARTHATICANSEEFOREVERINYOUREYES,PARADISE!

REN:ANDINYOURARMS,SALVATION’SNOTSOFARAWAY

ARIEL:IT’SGETTINGCLOSER

BOTH:CLOSEREVERYDAY,ALMOSTPARADISEWE’REKNOCKINGONHEAVEN’SDOORALMOSTPARADISE;HOWCOULDWEASKFORMORE?ISWEARTHATICANSEEFOREVERINYOUREYESPARADISE,PARADISE,PARADISE

(Theykiss;thelightsfadetoblack.)

MUSIC14A:OutofParadise

ACTTWO-SCENE5:TheTownHall

(ALLarepresentinatownhallmeetingroom.AtalongtablesitSHAWandtheotherCOUNCILMEMBERS.ELEANORDUNBARhasthegavel.TheKIDSandothersfacethem.LULU,thesecretary,readsfromnotes:)

LULU:“Andsoitwasunanimouslypassedthatthepriceofadoglicensewillgofromthreedollarsandfiftycentstofourdollarsandtwenty-fivecents.Alicensedpetisahappypet.”Thattakescareofoldbusiness.

ELEANOR:Thankyou,Lulu.Nowlet’sconsidernewbusiness.(TheKIDS’enthusiasmgrowsvocal;shebangsthegavel.)Beforewebegin,Iwanttoremindallouryoungpeoplewhohavejoinedusthiseveningthatthismeetingisconvenedtoconsiderofficialtownbusiness.Disturbancewillnotbetolerated.(TheKIDSgrumblebutsettledown.)Thefloorisnowopen.(RENraiseshishand.)Yes.

REN:MynameisRenMcCormackand...uh…(helookstoWILLARDandARIELwhonodback.)...onbehalfofmostoftheseniorclassofBomontHigh,Imovethatlocalordinancefour-sixteen--thelawagainstpublicdancingwithintheBomonttownlimits--beabolished.

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WILLARD:(standing)AndI,WillardHewittof385CloverdaleRoad,wouldliketosecondthatmotion.Thankyou.(Hesits.ApplausefromtheKIDSissilencedbythegavel.)

SHAW:Eleanor,mayIhavethefloor,please?

ELEANOR:Certainly,Reverend.

SHAW:Mr.McCormack,youwishtochangethelawbecauseyouwanttothrowadance;thatisyourright.Butitismydutytochallengeanyenterprisewhich,inmyexperience,fosterstheuseofliquor,theabuseofdrugsand,mostimportantly,celebratesspritualcorruption.AndIthinkyou’regoingtofindthatmostfolksinthiscommunityagreewithme.

COACHDUNBAR:Yougotthatright!(GeneralagreementfromtheCOUNCILMEMBERS)

SHAW:Now,ifanyonecanconvincemethatthereisnodangerinyourraucouspartyplans,Imightreconsidermystand.Butfornow?No,Ican’tcondoneit.(Hesits.)

ELEANOR:Ibelievethatavoteisinorder.Willallthoseinfavor…

REN:Excuseme,isn’tthereanykindofdiscussion?

COUNCILMEMBERS:Nowjustaminute!Discussionisclosed.You’reoutoforder,etc.

COACHDUNBAR:(pointsatREN)It’soutrageous!Ifyouthinkthat…(Vistands,shoutsoverthehubbub)

VI:Roger!(ALLquiet,turntoregardher)Roger,sitdown.(Stunned,hedoes.)IbelievethatMr.McCormackhasarighttobeheard.

REN:(halting)Ijustwantedtosayafewwords,cuzIthinkthisideascaresalotofpeople.Itshouldn't.(unfoldsapieceofpaper,clearshisthroat,andreads:)“Fromtheoldesttimes,peopledancedformanyreasons.Theydancedsotheircropswouldbeplentifulorsothattheirhuntwouldbegood.Theydancedtoshowtheircommunityspirit,andtheydancedtocelebrate.Andthat’sthedancingwe’retalkingabout.”

SHAW:(stands)Mr.McCormack,wedon’tneedahistorylesson--

REN:(pullstheBiblefromhisjacketandopensittoabookmark)Andaren’twetold--excuseme,Reverend--aren’twetoldinPsalm149to“praiseyetheLord.SinguntotheLordanewsong.LetthempraisehisNameinthedance?”(helookstoSHAWwho,stunned,slowlysits.)AnditwasKingDavid...KingDavidwhowereadaboutinSamuel.AndwhatdidDaviddo?WhatdidDaviddo?(stalls,tryingtofindthepassage)WhatdidDaviddo?(hefindsit)Ah!“DaviddancedbeforetheLordwithallhismight.LeapinganddancingbeforetheLord.”(HeshowstheBibletotheCouncilmembers.)Leapinganddancing.AndEcclesisastesassuresusthat,“Thereisatimetoeverypurposeunderheaven--atimetolaughandatimetoweep.Thereisatimetomournandthereisatimetodance.”Therewasatimeforthislaw,butnotanymore.Andthisisourtime.Ourtimetocelebratelife.That’sthewayitwasinthebeginning,thewayit’salwaysbeen,andthat’sthewayitshouldbenow.Thankyou.

(TheKIDStrytostifletheirenthusiasmasRENreturnstohisseat,buttheymakesomenoise.)

ELEANOR:Order!Order!(TheCOUNCILMEMBERSseematalossastohowtoproceed.ELEANORlookstoSHAW;henods.)Thereisamotiononthefloortorepeallocalordinancefour-sixteen.HowdoestheCouncilvote?

COUNCILMEMBERS:(oneaftertheother)No.No.No.

SHAW:No.

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ELEANOR:Themotionisdefeated.AndIbelievethismeetingisadjourned.

MUSIC14B:OutofCouncil

(Themeetingbreaksupandeveryoneleaves;theKIDSgrumbleontheirwayout.RENisleftalonewithETHEL.)

ETHEL:Ren.Uptillnow,I’vebeenrealproudaboutkeepingmyopiniontomyself.Buthoney,ifIdon’tsaysomethingI’mgonnabust.

REN:What’stheretosay?Ilost.TheCouncilvoted,andIlost.

ETHEL:Sweetie,youneverhadaprayer.

REN:That’snotfunny,Mom.

ETHEL:Ren,whenyougottothepartaboutleapingandlaughingandweepinganddancing--whichIloved,don'tgetmewrong--IwaswatchingthefacesoftheTownCouncil.Ipromiseyou:ShawMoorehadthosevoteslockedupbeforehewalkedinheretonight.

REN:(startled)Youthinkhetoldthemhowtovote?

ETHEL:Youcanstillsoundshocked.Ilovethataboutyou.

REN:Buthe’samanofGod!

ETHEL:He’saman.Andyouwererailroaded.

REN:Man,thatpissesmeoff!

ETHEL:Good!Nowlisten:ReverendMooresaidhewouldreconsideronlyifsomeoneconvincedhimtherewasnodangerinyour“raucouspartyplans.”

REN:“Raucouspartyplans”--doyoubelievethesepeople?Imean--(hestopsashenoticesherstare)What?

ETHEL:Makehimreconsider.

REN:Me?

ETHEL:You.

REN:(referringtoShaw)Andhim?

ETHEL:Yup.

REN:When?

ETHEL:Now.

REN:But…!

ETHEL:Ren!

REN:Mom!

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ETHEL:Stop!(theystoptheirping-pongexchange)Untilyoudo,you’llnevermakepeacewiththatman.Orthistown.

REN:Ididn’tconvincehiminthere.

ETHEL:Hewasn’tlisteninginhere.Makehimlisten.

REN:WhatcanIsayIhaven’talreadysaid?Ireadmyspeech,IthumpedmyBible--

ETHEL:Youdideverythingbutspeakfromtheheart.(ThatstopsREN.)

REN:ReverendMooreisareallysmartman.

ETHEL:Soareyou.

REN:He’sstubborn.

ETHEL:Andyou’renot?(Shestartsoff)I’dlovetobeheretowatch,butI’vegottogethomeandhosedownyourAuntandUncle.

REN:Iloveyou,Mom.

ETHEL:Youhavenochoice.Now,go!(ETHELexits.RENthinksthendecidesandgetsup.)

MUSIC14C:TransitiontoMooreHome

ACTTWO-SCENE6:TheMooreHome

(RENapproachestheMoorehome.SHAW,dressedinarobe,crossesandopensthefrontdoor.)

REN:Reverend.

SHAW:Mr.McCormack.It’slate.

REN:(cheery)Really?I’mwideawake.(SHAWgiveshimawitheringlook.)Ihaveaquestion.

SHAW:(wry)Anditcouldn'twaituntilmorning.

REN:Onequestion.(Afterapause,SHAWadmitshim.)Reverend,beforetonight’smeeting,didyoutelltheCouncilhowtovote?

SHAW:(caughtbysurprise)We...discussedtheissue,ofcourse.

REN:But,didyoutellthemhowtovote?

SHAW:Ren,thisisaboutmorethanaquestionofadance…

REN:(forceful)Didyou?(SHAW’ssilenceishisanswer.)ReverendMoore,Iunderstandwhatthistownhasbeenthrough…

SHAW:No,Idon’tthinkyoudo.Ifyoudid,youwouldn’thaveprovokedyourclassmatestore-openthewoundswehavehealed.You--

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REN:(interrupting)Thosewoundsarenothealed.(SHAWreacts.)Iftheywere,peoplewouldn’tbeglaringatmeonthestreetorsnubbingmyMomatthemarket.Theywouldn’tbeboycottingmyUncle’sbusiness.Andyouwouldn’tbefixingthevoteonthetowncouncil--

SHAW:(talkingoverhim)Ithoughtitwastimetoputanendtothisnonsense.

REN:“Nonsense?!”AllIsayis,“Who’supforalittledancing?”AndtheonlythingpeopleherecanthinkaboutisthePotwaneyBridgeandfourkids--

SHAW:Mr.McCormack--!

REN:--andIknowyoursonwasoneofthem.AndI’msorryforyourlo