Reflections
Act I
(The Bard steps out from behind the closed curtain and stands in front of it, center stage)
Bard: Oh sing to me you gracious Muses, beautiful,
Fair daughters of fine memory and God, divine
Inspirers of music, song, and poetry –
Please sing to me in verse the song of Adam and
The way he lost the one he loved, dear Lily, gone,
Although he loved her more than life, so even death
Could not deprive him of his love. It was his fate
To love his gift to get his gift to bring a gift
To you. A loving heart thrown in the pit of fire
Is not destroyed, but purified and turned to gold.
This is the process alchemists once sought in vain –
Yet not in vain – the leaden soul has been transformed.
Poor Adam sits now in his room and watches her,
Beloved Lily, standing there before the full-
Length antique mirror standing in his living room . . .
Scene 1
(The Bard gestures with his hand and the curtain opens to a living room with a couch and an antique full-length mirror center. There is a table on the other end of the couch with a C.D. player on top of it. The Bard backs off the stage, leading the opening curtain. Adam is sitting on the couch, watching Lily look at herself in the mirror. The mirror should be edge-on to the audience, and in fact should be missing the glass so characters can pass through it. Adam stands and approaches the audience.)
Adam: You have no idea how much I love this woman who only wants to be my friend. I want her for myself, to show her how much I love her. My heart is broken every day I see but cannot have her. And yet it breaks my heart when I can’t see her every day. Tortured with or without her, I’d rather be tortured by her presence.
(Adam goes back to the couch and sits down)
Lily: This is a fantastic mirror you found. Incredible. You need to clean this tarnish off. But the extra color gives it character, so I don’t know what I’d really do.
Adam: I think there’s a flaw in the glass. I sometimes get strange glimpses of images that are and are not there. Just some strange reflections.
Lily: Oh! Yes, I see what you mean. For a second there the couch looked like a horse. I think I’d keep the glass – it distorts the world in interesting ways.
Adam: Can I get you something to drink? A glass of wine?
Lily: A glass of wine. Sounds nice.
(Adam walks offstage. Lily looks around and notices the C.D. player)
Lily: You mind if I play your C.D.?
Adam (offstage): Go right ahead.
(Lily pushes the play button and the C.D. player begins playing Squirrel Nut Zippers’ “Hell”)
Lily: Oh my God. I love this song. Remember that summer . . . ?
(Adam reenters carrying two glasses of wine)
Adam: Absolutely. “Zoot Suit Riot.” Great stuff.
Lily: Come on, dance with me.
(Lily begins dancing to the music. Adam smiles as he stand there, holding both glasses of wine)
Lily: Put down the wine and dance with me.
(Adam puts the wine down on the table in front of the C.D. player and joins her. They dance a swing dance to the rest of the song. At the end, Adam turns the music down so it’s barely audible and picks up the wine)
Adam: Let’s sit and have some wine.
(He hands her a glass. Each swirls the glass and places the mouth of the glass to their noses and smells deeply before tasting)
Lily: Mmm. Very good. You must really know your wine.
Adam: It’s an art I’m trying to acquire. I think it will go well with the burgundy steaks I’m making us.
Lily: It was so sweet of you to make dinner for me. You didn’t have to be so fancy, you know.
Adam: I love to cook. And when do I get to be fancy like this? Wouldn’t salmon with figs or coq au vin be a bit sad for a single person to sit down to eat?
Lily: You’re right. Beauty should be shared.
(Lily raises her glass. He raises his. Their eyes lock for a moment, then both take a drink. When they finish, Adam stops and sniffs the air)
Adam: Smells like the food’s ready. Come on. The table’s set. I’ll get the food.
Lily: It smells wonderful. I can’t wait to eat it.
(Lily follows Adam offstage. Lights go dark)
Scene 2
(Lights come on. Adam is standing, facing the audience. Lily is looking at herself in the mirror. On the other side of the mirror is Lily’s Reflection, who mirrors her every move.)
Adam: The Beatles sang it best, the way I feel:
(sings) Who knows how long I loved you?
You know I love you still?
Will I wait a lonely lifetime?
If you want me to, I will.
(Adam turns, walks to the couch and sits and watches Lily)
Lily: Adam, look at my reflection. Doesn’t it look strange to you? Like it’s me, but not really.
Adam: What do you mean?
Lily: Have you heard about that guy who hurt his head and recognized his mother and father but thought they were identical impostors? It’s sort of like that.
Adam: Your reflection is an identical impostor?
Lily: It doesn’t feel like me.
Adam: How do you know? Have you touched it?
(Lily turns and looks at Adam and smiles)
Lily: You have a point.
(She reaches out and touches the mirror. She and her Reflection are touching hands. Lily turns to Adam)
Lily: Nope. Doesn’t feel like me at all. Feels like gla . . .
(The Reflection grabs her wrist and pulls her into the mirror. Adam leaps to his feet and goes up to the mirror, but stops short, not knowing what to do. Lily and her Reflection struggle on the other side of the mirror as the Reflection tries to drag her offstage)
Lily: Help! Help! Oh my God! What the . . . ! Help me! Help me! Adam! Please! Help me!
(Lily screams as she is pulled offstage. Adam is frozen where he stands, staring open-mouthed, through the mirror. After a second of silence, Lily comes running back onstage toward the mirror. She is chased by her Reflection, who is now an eagle-winged Harpy)
Lily: Adam! Adam!
(Lily reaches the mirror and reaches through with her arm for Adam. Before he can react, the Harpy grabs her and drags her, screaming, offstage. At the same moment, Todd the Fox steps on stage right, looks around, and smiles)
Todd: I guess you do not want her all that bad –
If I were you I would be mad –
Or was she just a fad?
How sad. How sad.
Too bad.
(Todd runs off stage right)
Adam: I can’t believe what I just saw. My love for Lily’s not a fad! What just happened? Did I see . . . ? What was that thing that grabbed her?
(Adam stops and stares at the mirror for a second)
Adam: I have to go through.
(Adam cautiously places his hand on the mirror, and his hand slips through to the other side. He cautiously steps across. When he is standing on the other side, the lights go dark)
Scene 3
(The furniture is gone. The mirror is at the far left side of the stage, and Adam is standing to its right, “behind” it. Nothing else is onstage but a layer of fog. Three women in long black robes – the Norns – appear stage right and slowly walk to the center of the stage. Adam approaches)
Adam: What kind of place is this? What’s with these weird women? I don’t even know which way to go. Perhaps these women can at least tell me where I’m at. Maybe they even know what happened to Lily.
Norn 1: You were Adam, born too late. You
Always live in guilt. Your fate through
The Norns you see here will be told –
And all we tell you shall unfold.
Norn 2: You speak my lines my sister, dear –
The past and present must be clear.
Adam: Where am I?
Norn 2: With words like that he won’t go far.
Should we just keep him in a jar
And keep him safe from everything?
You can’t expect a crow to sing.
Norn 1: I know his past and what he was . . .
Norn 2: I know his present, what he does . . .
Norn 3: I know his future; do not fear –
If he survives, strength will appear.
Adam: If I survive? If I survive what?
Norn 1: What you went through in your youth made
You come here to see us. Dark shade
Followed you your whole life, silent.
Norn 2: But now you have to face the violent
Abyss that wants to take your soul
And torch it like a lump of coal.
Adam: I don’t know what you’ve said to me –
Your riddles make no sense. Be clear.
Norn 3: You see, you see – he will be free.
He’ll blossom like the cherry tree.
(Norn 3 produces an orchid flower from beneath her robe and hands it to Adam)
Norn 2: You have to take this. Do not lose
Norn 3: It ‘til it must be lost. You’ll choose
The time when you won’t choose to please
The dangerous dark choppy seas.
(Adam takes the orchid and looks at it)
Norn 3: It will protect you ‘til it can’t –
Norn 2: It’s more than just a pretty plant.
Norn 1: It’s everything that drove your past.
Norn 2: It makes you want what’s loose and fast.
Norn 3: But you will trade it for a flower
That has within it much more power.
(Norn 1 and Norn 2 exit stage left. Norn 3 exits stage right. Adam follows Norn 3 a few steps, but is stopped by Todd the Fox, who runs onstage and begins taunting Adam, running around him as he speaks)
Todd: Unhand
The flower. Stand
Just where you are. You’ll land
In trouble if you dare demand
What can’t be yours. Come on. You’re far too bland
For such a girl. Just understand
That she won’t take the band
Of love, so grand
You’ve planned.
Adam: Why are you taunting me, you crazy fox?
Why should you care about my love for her?
(Lily screams offstage)
Adam: I cannot waste my time like this with Norns
And crazy rhyming foxes. I have got
To find my Lily. I must get her out
Of here. Be gone, you stupid fox.
(Adam kicks at Todd, who runs offstage)
Adam: I have
To go before . . . before I don’t know what . . .
But what I’ve seen of here, it can’t be good.
(Adam runs off stage right, in the direction of the scream. The curtain closes)
End Act I
Act II
(The Bard steps out from behind the closed curtain and stands in front of it, center stage)
Bard: Oh gentle Muses, please return to me so I
Can sing once more of Lily’s plight and Adam’s flight
To find the one he loves so dear so he can keep
Her safe. Her harpy-double took her off and now
Good Adam must set forth to find her in this place
So alien and strange. A land of fairy-folk
And gnomes, good knights and Laméd Wufniks, introduced
To Adam by fair Proteus who calls himself
By Peter. Adam needs this rock to stand upon
If he’s to make it out of mirror-land alive.
(The Bard gestures with his hand and the curtain opens. The Bard backs off the stage, leading the opening curtain)
Scene 1
(The stage is full of Fairies, who all look like Lily. They all have fairy wings on their backs. All of them are screaming. Adam rushes in stage left, frantic)
Adam: What’s wrong? What’s wrong? I’m here! I’m here!
(The Fairies all stop screaming and speak with one voice. The Fairies will always speak with one voice except when each one speaks in individual words)
Fairies: And who are you that you are here? There’s nothing wrong.
Adam: Then why are you all screaming?
Fairies: Scream therapy. It helps us explore our feelings, and it’s a wonderful shared experience.
Adam: You scared me half to death. I thought that you were Lily.
Fairies: How lovely you thought that we were lilies. We didn’t know that lilies screamed.
Adam: Not lilies. Lily. My love. A harpy took her and now I’m trying to find her.
Fairies: How terrible! You poor, poor man! What does she look like? We’d love to help.
Adam: She looks like every one of you.
Fairies: So many bodies and so many faces!
Adam: No, I meant like each of you.
Fairies: Oh. How beautiful she must be.
Adam: You have to stop. I don’t understand a thing you’re saying. All your words run together. Please, just one of you at a time.
Fairy 1: We’re
Fairy 2: sorry.
Fairy 3: Maybe
Fairy 4: this
Fairy 5: will
Fairy 6: help.
Fairy 7: We
Fairy 8: haven’t
Fairy 9: seen
Fairy 10: a
Fairy 11: harpy
Fairy 12: fly
Fairy 13: by
Fairy 14: with
Fairy 15: a
Fairy 16: woman
Fairy 17: who
Fairy 18: looks
Fairy 19: like
Fairy 20: each
Fairy 21: of
Fairy 22: us.
Fairy 23: Maybe
Fairy 24: Peter
Fairy 25: can
Fairy 26: help.
Adam: That doesn’t help at all. I’d rather hear you unified.
Fairies: As you wish. We’ll accept whatever you want.
Adam: Have you seen Lily?
Fairies: Where is Peter? He can help. He’s caring and enlightened and someone you can trust. He has shown us the wing-challenged can do almost as much as those with wings. Oh Peter! Peter! Where have you gone? We need you to help this man find the love he lost. What better thing could you have to do than that? Oh, Peter!
(Peter appears onstage)
Fairies: There he is. Peter knows and Peter’s wise. Peter will tell you what to do.
Peter: You have the orchid with you still? I can
Not help you if you are forgetful. God
Helps those who help themselves – and who am I
To better God? So, show me that you have it.
(Adam shows Peter the orchid)
Adam: I don’t know how you know my name, but I . . .
Peter: Your name is known throughout this land. We’ve been
Preparing for your coming. Come with me
And I will show you Lily’s fate and yours.
Adam: Will someone tell me where I’m at? I’m lost.
Peter: The mirror-land is where you’re at. It’s rare
To have you here from over there, and we
Cross over rarely. One day, though, we will
Come to your world, and then your world will be
As changed as ours. We bring a complex gift . . .
Adam: All that I ever hear are riddles. Speak
To me so I can understand. Don’t be
Obscure. And why do all these fairies look
Like Lily? Tell me what is going on.
Fairies: We love the fact we look like Lily. Lily truly must be lovely.
(The fairies join hands and form a circle around Adam and Peter and slowly dance around them)
Fairies: You wonder where you are tonight? We say it all depends. From whose perspective do you wish to see? Lily, Peter, you, and we all see such different things. How can we know, how can we grow? We’ll sacrifice ourselves to make sure everyone is happy here. The sun is shining on your face and turning rain to bows the colors of bright summer fields. The pronghorn leap, coyotes howl and changeless nature makes the ring spring forth that’s dancing ‘round you both.
Peter: I’ll have to take you to the gnome. He buys
And sells most anything, and knows a lot
As well. I’m sure the gnome can help us both.
Fairies: The gnome? Why do you have to see the gnome? He’s greedy and uncouth.
Peter: We’ll likely have to pay him something. Have
You anything to pay? Or even trade?
Adam: I only have this orchid here. I came
Without a single thing. I didn’t know
What I was getting into when I came.
Peter: Perhaps the fairies have something the gnome
Would want. My fairies, could you help this man?
(The fairies stop dancing and the ring breaks apart)
Fairies: Oh Peter, Peter, how can you dare ask a thing like that? You know we’ll share all that we have to help someone like him, the poor wing-challenged thing. I know! A box of good intentions!
Peter: The gnome will never go for that. You know
He only likes results. Intentions just
Won’t do for him. Do you have something else?
Fairies: Oh! That gnome is so annoying. Good intentions are good enough for us. Perhaps he’d like some harmony.
Peter: He only takes that with his music, dears.
It’s competition that’s his game. What else?
Fairies: He only wants what he can touch. Here. Give him money, then. Some fairy money will buy you what you want from him.
(Each fairy produces some paper money and hands what they have to Peter. He collects it all and hands it to Adam)
Adam: Oh, thank you, ladies, for your gracious help
And all your generosity. I hope
The gnome can help me find my love again.
Peter: Most likely he will take us to the knights
And to the Laméd Wufnik on the mountain.
Fairies: Oh! They’re worse, far worse than the gnome. The gnome exploits the poor old dwarves and trolls, but the knights and Wufnik want to make the trolls believe in silly things and, worse, they tell them they’re to blame for who and what they are.
Peter: Well, nonetheless, we may not have a choice.
Adam: A gnome? A Laméd Wufnik? Knights? Please tell
Me who or what these strange things are. And trolls?
Peter: These things and more will be revealed. Be sure
And patient. Most of all, you must be brave.
Adam: I’m brave. What do you think brought me in here?
Peter: Stupidity and love. Don’t fool yourself.
But you will soon be brave, my friend. Just come
With me. We cannot linger here. We have
To go if you are going to achieve
Your goal. Let’s hope we find the gnome and he
Can tell us what we need to know. Let’s go.
Fairies: Good-bye. Good luck. We wish you well.
(Adam follows Peter off stage right)
Fairies: Okay everyone. On the count of three. One. Two. Three!
(All the Fairies scream. The lights go down. The Fairies stop screaming when it’s dark)
Scene 2
(The curtain opens on a well-dressed , obviously wealthy Gnome watching the Dwarves he employs digging in the earth with shovels and pick-axes. All wear beards)
Gnome: Work hard, work hard my employees –
There’s gold in that there hill.
I smelled the metal on the breeze
And here I feel its chill.
(The Gnome looks around, annoyed)
Gnome: Now where’s that cook I hired at?
I have to keep these dwarves
Well-fed and paid, ‘cause I know that
It’s here or else the wharves –
And they can work most any place –
Look how they work for me.
If he’s not here by lunch he’ll face
Not payment, but a fee.
(A Dwarf runs onstage pushing a cart. Bowls and spoons are rattling on top. None of the diggers look up from their work)
Cook: I’m here, I’m here. Looks like I made it just
In time. I had to buy some onions and
You know us dwarves can’t eat without them. Rust
Was on my serving spoon, and not a hand
Was raised to help me out. I’d fire them all
If they weren’t all my kids. But now I’m here
And if you want at any time just call
The men and they can eat and drop their gear.
Gnome: I almost thought to fire you –
It’s time for lunch, you know.
Now let me call out for the crew.
(The Gnome calls out loudly, so the workers can all hear)
It’s time for lunch! Let’s go!
(The dwarves drop their equipment and shuffle toward the wagon, tired from the day’s work. The Cook serves them. When they get their bowls of food and drinks, they sit on the floor and eat. As this continues, Adam and Peter enter stage left)
Gnome: Good Peter! How are you? And who
Is this young man you have?
I’ve never seen a man so blue –
I hope I have the salve.
Peter: You’re who we came to see – and, as it turns
Out, for that very reason. Adam here
Has lost his love and we had hoped you’d seen
Her. Tell us that you have and give us hope.
Gnome: A girl came through here that I bought
And sold. I hope you don’t
Mean her. Some women sold her, thought
I’d like her. And, well, won’t
You know, a troll came by and saw
The girl and wanted her.
I sold her, cage and all. I’d draw
Her, but my hand’s not sure.
Adam: You sold her? Lily’s not a slave!
Gnome: A slave? She’s not a gnome
Or dwarf. Good man, I’d rather shave
Off profits than go home
A slaver. No offense, but she
Was only human. I
Bought her as valid property.
Adam: I think I’m going to cry.
Peter: Not all is lost. (To the Gnome) Just tell us whom you sold
Her to. Or, better, show the way. We brought
Some cash to pay you with. Would you do that?
Adam: And if you had a chance would you
Sell me if someone came
Along and wanted me? Or do
You have, you gnome, no shame?
Gnome: Well, I don’t own you. You are free.
But she was in a cage.
And since you have insulted me
I should just show my rage
And let you find her on your own
You stupid little brat –
You don’t know where that bird has flown
Or where the troll lives at.
Peter: He’s rash and learning, far too young. But pay
Attention to the cash and let it speak
For him. Again, we’ll pay you for your help.
(Adam presents the Gnome the cash, and shows him the orchid he carries)
Gnome: I see what you are thinking with.
That does explain a lot.
Oh, fairy dollars, sinking with
Each second. All you got?
(Adam nods)
Gnome: That cash has lost its value since
You got it from those girls.
I should be turned into a prince
And showered with white pearls
For taking it from you to take
You to the troll to get
Your darling back. So let us shake
Before I go in debt.
(The Gnome takes the money and shakes Adam’s hand and Peter’s hand. The Gnome counts the money and shakes his head)
Adam: Well, thank you, sir, for taking us
To get my Lily back.
Gnome: This money makes me want to cuss.
No point in keeping track
Of it, for if I save it it
Will vanish – it’s no use
In time. I’ve got to go and get
It spent and let it loose.
(The Cook approaches the Gnome now that the Dwarves are all fed)
Cook: I hate to ask you for my pay, but I
Have fed your workers and it’s time for me
To go. If I could have some cash to buy
Some food, I’d be back here most happily.
(The Gnome smiles and hands the cook his cash)
Gnome: Take all of this and do be back
Tomorrow so my men
Can eat. You will not ever lack
For cash. Just be here when
I need you and I’ll make you rich –
But if you’re late or don’t
Return I’ll throw you in a ditch –
And do not think I won’t –
By opening a caterer
And restaurant just so
I’ll run you out. I’ll be a burr
That bleeds you very slow.
(The Cook nods, takes the money, runs to his cart, and leaves stage left with it. The Dwarves are waiting to be told to get back to work)
Peter: That seemed a little harsh, my friend. But let’s
Not dwell on it. We need to go. My friend
Must get his woman back, through how we’ll do
That, I don’t know. We have no cash to buy
Her back. But I am sure we’ll find a way.
Gnome: I sold her so don’t tell me what
You plan to do. I made
A sale. To steal her back would cut
Too far. To me it’s trade
That’s ethical – to steal’s too much
For me. So I don’t want
To know or even guess if such
Is that prey which you hunt.
Peter: So be it, then. Just lead the way as far
As you think that you can and still be true
To who you are. I think that Adam would
Agree. So lead us ‘til you can no more.
Adam (to Peter): I hope he leads us as he said
So we can find her safe.
I think I’d die if she were dead
Or withered to a waif.
(The Gnome turns to the Dwarves)
Gnome: Now dwarves, it’s time to get to work –
I’ll have to step away.
I trust that none of you will shirk
Your labor for the day.
(The Gnome turns to Adam and Peter)
Well, let’s get going. If we must
We’ll stop to see the knights
And they can lead you through, I trust
To all of your delights.
But be forewarned, they will expect
A sacrifice from you –
You’ll have to join up with their sect –
They’ll test if you are true.
Peter: The knights are very strict, but noble men.
But if we’re lucky we will see an old,
Old homeless man, the Laméd Wufnik, who
In life and prayer justifies to God
The lives of men. But you must never tell
Them that a Laméd Wufnik’s what they are
Or else they’ll die, and then they’ll have to be
Replaced. And who can justify to God
The lives of men? Can you? So do be careful.
Adam: I think that I will be prepared.
I have my orchid now –
And even after what you shared,
I’m ready – that’s my vow.
Peter: Then let’s set off. It’s time for us to go.
(The Gnome nods and leads Adam and Peter off stage right. The Dwarves continue working as the lights go down)
Scene 3
(Three Angels, three Knights, and a Laméd Wufnik are in front of a temple. The Laméd Wufnik is lying on the steps, from which he never moves. The Angels are to his right, the Knights are to his left and have shields bearing fleur-de-lys)
Wufnik: Forgive us all! Forgive the one who comes, oh our good Lord,
Because he knows not why his true heart drums, oh our good Lord.
The gift he is and was and will be given comes from you,
And never will be heard without your strums, oh our good Lord.
Angel 1: The one who comes is chosen for a gift –
Although he doesn’t know what he’s here for
Or that he’s chosen – one whom we adore
In Heaven because he can heal the rift
In language and in music. He will lift
Up man again in glory from the poor
Enshadowed places he made on the floor
Of the dank dungeon that they made bereft
Of life and love and all we know is good.
He’s been anointed so the beautiful
Will be seen once again. But first he must
Be sent to Hell to get his gift. How could
He come to see the gift as wonderful,
Appreciate it lest he’s turned to dust?
Wufnik: I hear him coming down the road. Am I prepared to see
The one who’s given this great gift? We’re bums, oh our good Lord.
Knight: He’s but a man my dear good man – and you’re
A holy man – the holiest I’m sure.
Wufnik: I am not worthy of this man, to touch the hem of his
Clean garment, or to only eat his crumbs, oh our good Lord.
(Adam, Peter, and the Gnome enter stage left)
Wufnik: Are you the one they called “Anointed”? I bless you!
Are you the one they called “Twice-born”? We cry, “Bless you!”
Adam: Is that old man speaking to me?
What strange, strange words the old
Man speaks, and who’s this pair of three?
These seven make me cold.
(Adam shivers)
Peter (to Adam): That man’s the Laméd Wufnik. Please remember
That he can never know that’s what he is.
Wufnik: Come closer so that I can see you, blesséd boy.
You are the one who’s promised us: we sigh, “Bless you.”
I can’t believe I’ve lived to see this blesséd day.
You are the one whose words will lift us high. Bless you.
Adam: I find your words confusing. I’m just here for Lily.
My heart and life is only filled with cheer for Lily.
And when I find her I will gladly go back home
So I can love and never have to fear for Lily.
Knight 2: Can you be sure that he’s the one? I look
And see a weak young man, no open book
Or iron spine – he’s nothing but a leaf
That quivers on a breeze. I have no beef
With him per se, but he will have to prove
Himself before my thoughts of him will move.
Angel 2: You shouldn’t be so harsh with him. It’s true
That he has much to prove before he’ll find
The gift he has to be a gift. He’ll bind
Himself some more before he’s born anew.
Adam: You speak as though I am not here. Just who
Do you guys think you are to say these things
Like I don’t have a choice? I don’t have strings
Attached to either wrist or to my shoe.
Angel 2: You’re off a bit. But true, you’re right, you can
To some extent do anything you want.
But anarchy is not a choice, and freedom
Is made more free by better rules. No man
Can be as free as you’ll become. The brunt
Of what you will endure’s absorbed with wisdom.
Gnome: What kind of man did I bring here?
I only thought this man
Was searching for his love. I fear
Whatever is your plan
For him. He doesn’t seem the kind
To help a soul except
The one he paid for me to find –
Much more I don’t accept.
Wufnik: You may accept or not, that’s your free will. He is the one
That we were promised. I am certain still he is the one.
The angels tell me he’s the one, and my heart tells me so
As well. Good knights, please do protect him till he is the one.
Knights: We would not go if it weren’t you who told
Us we should go. This boy is not too bold,
But maybe we can strengthen him before
He finds himself before the golden door
That’s only meant for him. So tell us, sir,
Where are we off to? I present my Fleur-
De-Lys so that I can defend both you
And who you seek. We always will be true.
All knights: We all present ourselves, our sword and shield
To you to do with as you wish. We yield.
Gnome: Will you still need me for this trip?
It seems to me these knights
Will be enough. I’d like to slip
Away, avoid all fights.
Adam: We paid for you to take us to the troll
You sold my Lily to. You are the sole
One here who knows where she and he are at –
So you will have to lead us on, and that
Is that. Or are you shirking us for what
We paid you for to run off to your hut?
Gnome: I never shirked a customer,
And you won’t be the first.
I’ll take you, then, if you prefer
To have me. (Aside) God, I’m cursed.
Peter: If you don’t mind, my friend, I’d like to stay
Behind. I have some business here with this
Good man. I need a holy man’s advice.
Adam: Stay if you must, but what will I do with-
Out you beside me? I am lost, confused,
And feel the ground beneath my feet begin
To shift. And more, I fear I’ll be abused.
Peter: I hear an independent voice emerge
Before my ears. That’s good. But still, you must
Go forth and farther, deeper still, before
You will be truly ready. Educate
Your mind until your heart believes it too.
I will be there, but for a while you will
Be forced to go alone, without a friend.
Wufnik: You must not be afraid. The worst will come in darkness
That fills your moral soul. You will turn numb in darkness.
You’ll pay a price for everything you’ve done that’s good
And well-intentioned – and you’ll pay the sum in darkness.
I would not wish an enemy to go through this
That you’ll go through – you’ll be turned deaf and dumb in darkness.
Adam: If you are trying to scare me, it’s worked.
Knight: There is no need to fear so long as we
Are here. You’ll have the shelter of our tree,
So do not frighten yourself like the deer
Who jumps at every sound that might appear.
Wufnik: Before you go I have a gift for you. This sword
Will help you to protect yourself. Judge through this sword.
The time will come, and very soon, when you will need
More than your wits. All have been safe who drew this sword.
(The Laméd Wufnik presents Adam with a sword. Adam fumbles with the orchid)
Adam: So much to carry. First an orchid, then your gift
Of this old sword. I’ll go and show the men your gift.
But where to put this orchid now? The Norns all said
It would protect me –now I’ll take even your gift.
(Adam places the orchid in the front of his shirt and bows to one knee to accept the sword. The Laméd Wufnik nods as he hands him the sword he pulled from beneath his robes. As Adam rises, Angel 1 presents a silver shield. Adam nods in silence. The Angels nod back.)
Peter: Now go and rescue Lily from the Troll.
I know I’ll see you once again real soon.
Adam: Well, thanks for all you did for me. The hole
You’ll leave cannot be filled. You were my noon-
Day sun and guide. What will I do without
You, Peter? Do you have to stay? I need
Your guidance. Can’t you see I’m full of doubt
And that I’ll never make it lest your seed
Of wisdom and encouragement ensured
Me that I would not fail and that I would
Survive this place? Oh what I have endured
Seems nothing, not compared to what I should . . .
Knight 2: Such fear will kill you here. Leave it behind
Or else your gift is not what you will find.
(Knight 3 draws his sword and strikes at Adam, who parries with the sword just given to him. Adam is surprised at his own actions)
Knight 3: You see. You’re readier than even you
Think that you are. Just trust in what is true.
(Adam smiles and composes himself)
Adam: Well, lead on, then. I guess I am more ready
Than I once thought. From now on I’ll be steady.
(The Gnome nods and leads Adam and the Knights off stage right. When they are gone, Angel 3 speaks)
Angel 3: That boy will suffer much so that he’ll grow
Into a stronger man. Just like a tree
That grows upon a windy slope will show
More strength in roots and trunk and limbs than three
That grow in perfect shelter and which snap
In any ice or breeze, that boy must take
The brutal storms that come his way to sap
His strength and wear him down. Such pain will shake
His faith and love of life, endangering
The very soul we hope won’t break, but shape
By all these trials to become the ring
Engaging man to be more than an ape.
If all these troubles do not make him mute,
He’s grow into a tree that bears much fruit.
(Todd the Fox appears stage left)
Peter: It’s good to see you, Todd. You have much work
To do to make sure that this boy will fail
To get the very thing he wants the most.
Todd: You need
Not fear. The seed
I’ve planted in that reed-
Like woman will soon do the deed.
No, Lily will not ever want to breed
With him. He can beg, even plead,
But she will never heed
His pleas. He’s freed
Indeed.
Peter: That’s good. (to Laméd Wufnik) Do you concur that this is best?
Wufnik: The boy must suffer. It has been decreed. His pain
Will burn away the weakness. He will need his pain.
We must return to golden standards, and the flames
Are all that purify. He must concede his pain.
(Stage goes dark)
Scene 4
(Lily is in a golden cage. A Troll is arranging her cage in the opening of his cave/home)
Troll: Oh little Lily, you are my pet for as
Long, lovely one, as I will have patience for
Such beauty here within my household.
Darkness is what I am much more used to.
(Lily, fearful, says nothing)
Troll: You’ll sing when I come back in a bit with my
Friends. Sing or else I’ll give in to hungers which
Fill trolls more than you’d want to know. I’ll
Come back soon. Do not embarrass me then.
(The Troll leaves. Lily walks around in her cage)
Lily: How strange, how strange, this place I’m in.
What did I do, what was my sin?
I’m bought and sold, commodified –
It would be better if I’d died.
Adam (from offstage): I hear her. Lily! That’s her voice. Ahead.
We have to reach her soon, before she’s dead.
(Adam leads the Gnome and Knights into the cave from stage left. They stop when they see Lily)
Lily: How sweet I roamed from field to field
And tasted all the summer’s pride,
Till I the Prince of Love beheld,
Who in the sunny beams did glide.
He showed me lilies for my hair,
And blushing roses for my brow;
He led me through his gardens fair,
Where all his golden pleasures grow.
With sweet May dews my wings were wet,
And Phoebus fired my vocal rage.
\ He caught me in his silken net,
And shut me in his golden cage.
He loves to sit and hear me sing,
Then laughing sports and plays with me –
Then stretches out my golden wing,
And mocks my loss of liberty.
Adam: I do not mock your loss of liberty –
I came here so that I could set you free.
Gnome: You have to trust your memory:
She does not quote herself.
That’s William Blake, whose sovereignty
Must stay upon the shelf.
Adam; Where is the troll that keeps you in that cage?
Where is he? I can barely hold my rage.
Gnome: Okay, I brought you here. Can I
Please go back to my mine?
If we were here to sell or buy,
Well, I would feel just fine,
But I suspect things will not turn
To commerce. Violence
Will break out soon, and that will burn
My reputation since
I sold the girl and now I’m here
With people who would steal
Her from the troll. I’d disappear,
But that does not appeal . . .
Lily: Hey! You’re the one who bought and sold
Me from the harpies and then to
The troll. I can’t believe you’re bold
Enough to be here. How dare you
Come here. I won’t be saved by some
Old gnome who sees me as a piece
Of meat. Now go away you dumb
Old gnome. I hope that you get fleas!
Gnome (to Adam): She’s charming. I can see why you
Would do all this for her.
I too would want to suffer through
What you will for this cur.
(Adam pulls his sword from his belt and points it at the Gnome)
Adam: You will take back those words – apologize
To Lily for it all. That would be wise.
(Before the Gnome can reply, the Troll enters with three friends)
Troll: Gnome! Traitor! Thief who takes back his goods once he
Sold her. You bring here knights so you’ll steal her and
Make cash again from her. You will be
Outted for what you have turned out to be.
Gnome: I sold, you bought her, fair and square –
Your beef’s with them, not me.
Just give her to them and they’ll spare
You life. Just set her free.
Knight 1: You cannot reason with a troll. The taste
Of steel will make him yield. I will not waste
My words with beings that just thirst for blood,
Not knowing theirs, when shed, will make the flood.
(The Knights all draw their swords. The Trolls draw theirs. The Knights and Adam begin to fight the Trolls. The Gnome steps away from the fight)
Gnome: There wouldn’t have to be a fight
If money were involved –
Just bring some money into sight
And everything is solved.
These people fighting would all get
Along if only they
Were meeting in the market, set
To purchase and to pay.
But when you do not want to trade,
Then violence, it seems,
Is all that’s left. I’d rather paid –
But it seems money’s memes,
When hated, bring out all the worst
In people. Coveting
What others have brings on a thirst
That won’t be quenched. We bring
The worst in everyone out when
We say that we should want
What others have, for only then
Does hatred start to hunt.
Well, I am done here. Time for me
To go back home. I’ll try
To make up for all this. I’ll see
You later, then. Good-bye.
(The Gnome runs off stage left. The Knights and Adam fight the Trolls until the Trolls are dead)
Knight 2: We are triumphant! Now just take the key,
Unlock the cage and set the woman free.
(Adam searches the Troll and finds the key. He unlocks the cage. Lily rushes out and hugs him)
Lily: You rescued me. I can’t believe
That you were here for me. I thought
The Troll would kill you or deceive
You so you also would be caught.
Adam: Trolls can’t keep me from helping or finding you.
Dark fear is not enough. I would die or else
Try death to rescue you. You have to
Know this. The truth is I love you, Lily.
Lily: I know you do, and what you’ve done
For me just proves it, that is true –
But we’re just friends, and we have fun,
And sadly, I just don’t love you.
(Before this revelation sinks in, Knight 3 grabs Adam by the arm)
Knight 3: We’d better go before we have to face
The other trolls who live around this place.
Knight 1: We can’t go back the way we came. I fear
That someone may have seen us enter here.
Knight 2: The spirit woods. The trolls would never chase
The five of us into that haunted place.
(Adam, Lily, and the Knights exist stage left. Lights go down)
Scene 5
(Lights come up. Adam, Lily, and the Knights are standing in the woods. There are several rocks and trees behind which Rock- and Tree-Spirits hide)
Lily: These woods are dark and frightening –
I wish you’d never brought me here.
I feel my heart – it’s tightening
Here in my chest. I’m filled with fear.
Adam: Fear nothing. We will keep you unharmed in these
Woods. What could harm you here? There is nothing in
Rocks, trees or flowers that could hurt you.
Knights, is there any sign that we’re followed?
Knight 1: I haven’t seen a thing alive since we
Came in these woods . . . What moved behind that tree?
(Everyone goes on guard. Lily hides behind Adam)
Knight 1: Come out and let us see just who you are.
Let’s see you. Do not think that you’ll get far.
(Chanting voices – quiet at first, but getting louder over a few seconds – come from behind every rock and tree. The Knights and Adam make a circle, backs to Lily, protected in the center, swords out and facing every direction)
Voices: A-dum-a-dum-a-dum-a-dum-a-dum-a-dum-a-dum-a-dum-a-dum-a-dum-a-dum-
a-dum-a-dum-a-dum-a-dum-a-dum-a-dum-a-dum-a-dum-a-dum-a-dum-a-dum
(Lights dim. Lightning flashes and thunder. A Dryad steps out from behind a tree)
Dryad: I am the elemental king, and you
Are in our woods. We ask you where you’re at
That you can threaten us. You’ll have your due
If you don’t drop your guard. Sit on the mat
Of forest leaves and lay your swords down flat
Beside you so that we will not be caught
Defending ourselves like a cornered rat –
In others’ homes you should know is from ought.
(The Knights and Adam comply)
It’s good to see that you believe I’m true
To what I say. I’m glad you trust me. That
Is good, a start. I see that you are new
To elemental woods. I’m glad you sat
So we can all come out to see and chat
With you. Just know it’s true we would have fought
If that is what you wanted, like a brat –
In others’ homes you should know is from ought.
(Tree and Rock Sprites emerge from behind their trees and rocks)
So now you see we’re many and you’re few,
And that you had no chance, just like a gnat
Against a damselfly that glitters blue
In sunlight’s beams, we would have chewed and spat
You out if we had had to fight. Your hat
In hand is how you should have come. Who taught
You such bad manners? Some old rabid bat?
In others’ homes you should know is from ought.
(The Tree and Rock Sprites approach the group, curious)
Too bad for us that none of you are fat
Or you’d have never found that which you sought
And you’d have ended up food in our vat –
In others’ homes you should know is from ought.
Adam: Then count me happy not to feed your taste
For human flesh – I think it’d be a waste
To turn us into stew for you to eat –
Though I think Lily is a tasty treat.
(Lily smacks Adam on the shoulder)
Tree Spirit 1: I’ve never seen a man like him
Up close. I’ve only seen a dim
Cold shadow going by
As other men came on a whim
Into these woods. They look so prim
And proper. Tell me why?
Rock Spirit 1: I wonder if they’re here for bad or good.
What should we do with such strange men as these?
Perhaps they’ve come to colonize our wood
And teach us all their manners, to say “Please”
And “Thank you” while we bow down on our knees.
I do not think that you will get too far,
So now you’d better tell us who you are.
Adam: My name is Adam and I’m trying to . . .
All Spirits: It’s Adam! Adam! Adam’s here.
We must prepare and make it clear
That we mean well. Oh dear! Oh dear!
We should be happy, full of cheer,
But what we’ve done fills us with fear
We’ll lose the one meant to appear
To us. We’ll sacrifice a deer
And serve him with our fresh-brewed beer
So he will know we hold him near
Our hearts. Oh Adam, please do hear.
Lily: Well, what on earth is going on?
They want to worship you. What kind
Of place is this? Am I a pawn
For something else in someone’s mind?
Dryad: Oh rise, dear Adam, we have waited long
For you to come into these woods. We’re wrong
To treat you as we did, our Lord.
We’ve waited here so we could make you strong
In soul and spirit, readying your song.
As a replacement for your sword.
(Adam, Lily and the Knights stand. Adam and the Knights sheath their swords)
Stone Spirit 2: If he is here then time will be here soon
To tell our fates as they relate to him.
Yes, they will come, enlightened by the moon.
And clothed in darkness, they appear quite dim,
Like when the moon glows only on its rim
And all is dark and shadowy. The stain
On us won’t fade unless we bring him pain.
Adam: I do not like the sound of this
My knights. Stay here and do not miss
A thing that happens here.
I came here for the bliss
Of Lily’s love and tender kiss –
I didn’t come for fear.
Norn 1 (Offstage): It does not matter why you came –
You must and will endure the flame
That we prepared for you. Now go
You knights. We’ve finished with your show
Of arms. The order that you bring
No longer fits. Chaos is king.
(The Norns appear stage right, dressed as before. The Knights bow to them and exit stage left in silence. Adam looks from the exiting Knights to the Norns and back again several times in confusion)
Norn 2: You will withstand the pain we bring –
You will endure it till you sing
Just like the cougar as it taunts
The very prey the cougar haunts.
(The Spirits grab Adam and Lily, who struggle until they realize it’s futile. When hot irons are brought, both begin to struggle again)
Norn 2: No need to struggle, girl, it’s not
For you the iron is struck hot.
(Lily stops struggling. The Spirits lift Adam’s shirt and press the irons to his flesh. He screams)
Norn 3: We do this now so you’ll endure
The pain that comes to make you pure.
Now give an iron to the girl
So she can burn him, make him curl
In pain so he will know that she
Is where his pain will always be.
Lily: I will not do that to my friend.
What kinds of awful things are you
Whose worship only has the end
Of torture. That, I’ll never do.
Norn 2: You do it or I promise you
More than you ever have gone through –
But unlike Adam, you won’t live –
No stronger promise can I give.
(Lily is handed a hot iron. She looks at it, at Adam, then presses it against his flesh. He looks at her, horrified, then screams and almost faints)
Norn 1: Enough. He never would have been
Assured he could survive this when
He loved you and you didn’t know
These were the seeds that you would sow.
Norn 3: Now take him through the golden door
(Norn 3 points stage right. Lily puts Adam’s arm over her shoulder and helps him offstage. When they are gone, Norn 3 continues)
Norn 3: He’s far too good for that dumb whore.
(Lights go down. Curtains close)
End Act II