I'm posting the script to "Flowerville and the Greenies," a play written and directed by David Sonnie, who is one of the case workers who originally worked with the women to create Parents Action Council (PAC) and the Confidence Clinic. This was created as a training tool for the community, for staff, and for the many participants (who played the parts in real life as well as in the play), to remind people of what Parents Action Council stood for, which was:
- to treat people and their personal choices with respect
- to recognize their incredible strength and indominatable spirit
- to work "with" people rather than "on" them or "for" them,
- and to create opportunities rather than to inflict mandates.
Help me, guys, if you think this description is not full enough. Remember I wasn't there - I'm just trying to summarize what you have taught me.
I will post some excerpts from transcripts about how this play was performed and how it was received.
(Note: The script was retyped from an old imeographed copy and in a few places there were words missing. We did the best we could. Also, as word got out about the play, more and more people wanted to be in it, so it was re-written several times. This appears to be a later version, though not perhaps the last one.)
Parent’s Action Council, Inc.
Presents a Fable:
Flowerville and the Greenies
Act One
Narrator:
I am going to tell you a story. I want you to listen. Once upon a time there was a place called Flowerville. Now Flowerville was a funny place. Some things didn’t make sense there. It was a beautiful place to live because of all the tall trees. But almost everybody made money by cutting down those trees and cutting them up to make toilet paper and houses and things for people that didn’t live there. It had beautiful rivers full of fish. But many people went to the bathroom in those rivers and made them dirty. There were many different kinds of people, but there were almost no brown people, or yellow people, or black people. Many people had plenty of money and were happy, but lots of people had no money and were not happy. But people had opinions: Let’s listen to a logger-----
(pause)
(Curtain opens)
Logger: (angrily)
I work damn hard for my money!!! Busting your butt in the woods ten-twelve hours a day is hard work. People that don’t work hard like me don’t deserve money. And I don’t want to share my money with them. Why should I kill myself cuttin’ timber and these people sit around and eat up my profits!!! They are bad people. My ex-wife is one of them and I know she is a bad person. She doesn’t ever work!! She sits around the house and takes care of my four kids and never does a lick of work!! All she does is bitch at me about money. I can’t afford to work my tail off and turn around and give my money to her!!! A lot of pointy-headed intellectuals I’ve seen on T.V. say that somehow we owe her a living!! That is bull!!! I’m not going to work as hard as I do and turn around and give my money to her. You should see what those kids eat!! I can’t afford it. These people are just going to have to find someone else to sponge off of. No Sir!! Not this guy!!!
(pause-----steps back and glares)
Narrator:
Telling the logger that all kids have to eat didn’t help. And there were more opinions. Let’s listen to a “nice lady”.
(Turns toward stage) (Nice lady enters primly)
“Nice lady”:
These people do not act right!! My husband makes “nice” money and I have a “nice” house and “nice” children and I do “nice” things. What is the matter with these people? I can’t think of anything they do properly!! Their clothes are not stylish and their speech is improper and I can’t imagine what they do at night!!! I know they drink too much in scary-looking places and they don’t look right and I suspect they mingle sexually. My friends and I are all offended!! I do not approve!! They are not “nice”
(walks back huffily to join logger)
Narrator:
Telling the “nice” people that there are different strokes for different folks didn’t help. And there were more opinions. Let’s listen to a business man.
(turns toward stage) (business man enters)
Business Man:
Let me tell you something from my many years of experience. There is no money to be made with these people. Even during the peak Christmas season, they just stare in the window and don’t buy a damn thing. Their kids paw all over the merchandise and leave without spending any money. And even if you work out some low payment high interest system for them, they usually don’t keep up with payments and you have to go out and take the stuff back!! Why just last week I had to repossess a couch, a chair, and three beds from some woman and all she did was stand around and cry!!! No profit in it at all!!!
(pause) (turns around and turns back)
Do you thing this is easy for me? I work hard to display attractive items and all they want is something for nothing!!! It’s the same thing with my rentals-----these people are always after me to do something for nothing-----you know-----fix the toilet, replace the windows, install a heater-----I will tell you right now!!! I am sick of it!!
(turns to join others) (pauses---over shoulder) I’m sure you understand!!
(joins others)
Narrator:
Telling the business man that lots of kids and no money is bad business didn’t help. And there were more opinions. Let’s listen to a teacher.
(teacher lazily enters)
Teacher:
[You have] to wonder about the children. They seem lazy and unhappy and their clothes are a disgrace!!! I’ve gone to college for five years and sometimes even I can’t understand them. They act different from the nice children. I try to educate these parents during conferences in my office and they just sit and look at me. You would think we didn’t speak the same language. It really makes you wonder!!! If I ever get married and have children I am going to make sure they don’t act that way!!! Why don’t their parents discipline them??? Where are their fathers?? I often wonder if these people should be allowed to have children!! Or keep them!!! Maybe nice people should do something to control production. Honestly!!!!!
(stomps off to join others)
Narrator:
Telling the teacher that children can learn more in six years than some people learn in a lifetime didn’t help. --------------------------------
I feel so unhappy----- Let’s listen to one of those people-----a poor person.
Poor person:
I swear to God, everyone is mad at me. I don’t know why----but everyone seems mad at me. I spend a lot of time thinking about it and I can’t understand why. Lots of people seem to hate me wherever I go. The worst part is that after awhile, I begin to agree with them. You know, I begin to hate myself. I know it’s dumb, I know there is no reason to feel that way, but God. Its impossible not to when you feel hate almost everywhere. I’ll tell you something----I don’t really think they hate me----I really think they need to have someone to look down on. (pause) But Lord it’s so confusing. I know I haven’t done anything or if I have, I sure don’t know what it is. I just wish I knew what to do besides survive day by day. I just wish I didn’t remind everyone of what might happen to them.
(walks slowly near to backstage group----they all stare at her hatefully)
Narrator:
Nobody knew what to say to her. Maybe the government knows something. Let’s listen to a public official.
Public Official:
These people cost too much money. And they probably don’t spend it right anyway. They don’t vote, so I don’t have to like them. I think responsible people should decide what to do about them.
(huddle with much discussion)
Narrator:
(while huddle is going on) Well, they thought they had to do something.
(to audience) Let’s all hope that they do something “nice”.
Public Official:
(clears throat) We responsible people have decided that we need to control these people. We have made new rules that will now be the law of the land.
(slowly, clearly, and loudly)
NUMBER ONE: To keep them happy, we will give them just enough money to squeeze by. This shall be called welfare and shame on those who take it.
NUMBER TWO: To keep them full, we will make them go grocery shopping at the post office. They will use monopoly money at the store so we can spot them.
NUMBER THREE: To keep them dry, we will rent them all the junky houses in Flowerville. This way we get most of the welfare money right back to us.
NUMBER FOUR: To tell them what to do, we will set up a special government. The officials will be called caseworkers and counselors and sometimes planners. They will get paid pretty damn good for doing this.
NUMBER FIVE AND MOST IMPORTANT: (slower and louder) To keep track of them, from henceforth and hereon all of these people will color their faces a bright green color. Bright green, so that at least Flowerville will know who is who. We have spoken!!!!!!!
(curtain closes on Act One)
Act Two
Narrator:
So Flowerville got its greenies, as they came to be called, and now you understand my complexion. The new rules did some good, people didn’t starve, but they sure felt bad. They felt lonely and they felt stupid and they felt ashamed. Except for sometimes when they drank special drinks to take away the pain or when they all sat down together to share their feelings.
(curtain opens to five greenies)
#1: What do you guys feel like doing?
#2: Let’s get drunk!!
ALL: I don’t have any money.
I don’t have a baby-sitter.
I don’t want to.
#4: It doesn’t do any good anyway. We really ought to think of something else.
#6: Like what?
#4: I don’t know, but it sure feels good just talking to other greenies.
#2: I don’t think we’re supposed to.
#3: Who says?
#2: My caseworker!!!
#4: I don’t know about you guys but I’m sick of always being told what to do.
#3: Shut up!!! What if someone heard you?
#4: I just don’t care anymore. If we got together maybe someone would listen.
#5: (sarcastically) Oh sure-----you know damn well we don’t even speak the same language.
#1: They’ll take away our welfare!!!! How will we feed our kids?
#5: I met some people the other day who were kind of half greenies. Maybe they would help us. They know both languages.
#2: I heard of some greenies from north of Flowerville over the mountains who have meetings and every thing.
#4: And I heard of some other greenies from south of Flowerville who got money to help other greenies. Maybe we could do something like that.
(all agree and think except #3)
#3: (jumps up) Shit!!!! You guys are nuts!! You’re just going to start trouble. (hysterical) I don’t want any part of this!!!! (starts rubbing off makeup)
#4: What are you doing?!?!
#3: (exiting) I’m getting married!!!!!!
(pause while everyone stares at door where #3 exited)
#2: Wow!! May she wasn’t as green as we thought.
#1: Maybe we ought to try it. We sure don’t have anything to lose!!
#2 I am scared!!!!
#4: So am I but at least we can be scared together.
If we stayed together-------we could be strong and people would listen!!!
#5: And we could always be good to each other even if nobody else was.
#1: (thinking) What should we call ourselves??
#4: (idea) How about the “Green Action Group”?!?!?
ALL: Laughter----------------reaction
#2: (sarcastically) Oh great!!!! G—A—G = GAG!!!!
ALL: Reaction (laughter and discussion)
#4: Sounds good to me.
#5: God, its going to be a lot a work. (thoughtful pause) And a lot of meetings!!!!!
(great commotion offstage-----------all react)
(“nice lady” rushes in, hysterical, clothes torn up, hair messy, weeping)
ALL: What happened?!?!?!
Nice lady: I don’t want to be this color but my “nice” husband left me!!!!
(all sympathize and calm her down)
#4: Sit down. We’re with you.
We’ve got work to do.
(all talk together and show love)
(curtain close on Act Two)
INTERMISSION
Act Three
(Curtain opens on busy office with giant sign saying Green Action Group in background.
First act and second act players plus five more greenies, some with all green faces, some
with half/half, some with polka dots, some with single green dot in middle of forehead –
-----rush around shuffling great heaps of forms and with much discussion and acting
busy. Two typewriters click busily and telephones ring)
(actors become quiet and pantomime roles)
Narrator:
(when all quiet) Years passed in Flowerville, and thousands of hours of meetings
happened, and people fought and people made up, and people came and people went
away, but the one thing that stayed was green power!!!! (pause) Green Action Group
became an idea that worked and Flowerville was never quite the same again. (pause)
But-----It wasn’t easy. There were always problems. But many people worked very hard
and greenies were able to do many things to help their fellow greenies.
Flowerville changed!!!
Let’s watch: ------------- (turns toward stage)
#4: Let’s get organized around here!!!!
#2: That’s easy for you to say!!!
#10: Yeah-----Who made you top greenie anyway??
#1: Hey-----let’s be nice.
#6: We’ve got work to do!!
(phone rings-------all listen as #4 answers and has conversation)
(#4 hangs up----with disgusted look on face)
#5: What wrong now??????
#4: That was Capitol City--------our greenie clinic has been de-funded again!!!!
#3: Oh shit!!!!!!! (general reaction)
#2: Well you gave up before------why not do it again?!?!?!?!
#3: I’ve learned my lesson-----let’s think instead of run!!
#6: Do we still have the picket signs from the last time?
#4: Yeah, but we better have a “GAG” meeting to decide what to do.
#8: My God, that’s the fifteenth meeting this week and it’s only Tuesday!!!!!
Public Official: Let me talk to some people and see what I can do. The Greenie Clinic is
too important to let it die!!!!
(pause while official dials phone)
#10: (sadly) Sometimes I think there’s too many problems and not enough Greenies!!!!!
#3: That wouldn’t be true if you’d get off your ass and recruit some more people.
#10: Hey, listen!!!! I’m only a damn volunteer!!!!!
(pause)
#7: (wondering) What’s de-funded mean anyway?
#4: Don’t you know their language yet? That’s “nice” people talk for screwed!!!!
(pause) (commotion off stage----------all react)
(new Greenie # rushes in, dropping papers and very upset)
ALL: Calm down!!!
What’s the matter???
Get hold of yourself!!!!
New Greenie: My God-----we’ve got trouble!!! (slowly a bunch of the polka we hired in
the green start program are going to quit!!!! They say green power is dumb!!!!!
“Nice lady”: (when all quiet) Oh swell-----who is going to teach my kid?
#2: This is disaster!!!
#1: I give up!!!
(#3 grabs #1)
#3: What are we going to do now?!?!
(reaction)
#8: (sarcastically) I know----have another thousand meetings!!!
(all agree and worry)
#7: (unhappy) Maybe they are right. I’ve got to go home and think about this.
(#7 exits unhappily)
#3: Giving up won’t help!!
#2: Maybe she wasn’t as green as we thought!!!!
“Nice lady” It takes awhile to learn!!!
(all discuss nosily)
#4: Wait a minute. Don’t panic!!! Maybe we can hire some greenies who need the money and love the kid!!
(all agree)
“New” Greenie #2 (polka-dot) enters unhappily with head bowed and flops in chair)
Logger: What’s wrong with her?
#10: Who knows?!?!
Please talk to us
“New Greenie”: I give up!
Nice Lady: You might as well say it.
Public Official: Please do!
“New Greenie”: Greenshine house has to find a new home!!! And we’re broke!
#9: What happened!!
#10: (to Greenie) Don’t worry!!!
Logger: Somebody please tell me--------how am I supposed to work if there’s no place for my kids?
(pause----------all depressed)
#6: I’m sure we can learn something from all this. I think Flowerville cares!
“Nice Lady”: (hysterically) I just don’t think I can take it anymore!!!!
(all react noisily)
#4: (when noise dies) (with great feeling) Wait a minute, listen to me, I think we better start talking about the real problem. (slowly) We get so busy running around, we forget to explain what we’re really up to.
#5: But its so complicated!
(reaction)
#2: Not really. Green is beautiful!!!!
(reaction: agreement)
#6: If we are together we can be strong. We have to stick together.
#1: If we learn to deal with our own problems, we can grow together!!!
#4: If we can take care of each other, there will always be someone who cares!
#3: But will people really listen if we explain what’s happening?? Does Flowerville really care what greenies think?
(all frown and think) (long silence)
(slowly all the greenies turn and stare directly into the eyes of audience)
Narrator: (stands up) (loudly) Will you??????
All: Listen!!!!!!
Narrator: Can you?
All: Listen!!!!!!
Narrator: Have you?
All: Listened!!!!!!!
(all continue staring at audience)
Narrator: (slowly) Maybe someday Flowerville won’t need special laws for greenies. Maybe someday there won’t be greenies but just people. We all need each other. Fighting can destroy us all. Flowerville’s greenies need all people so we can all throw away our masks. (pause) And that is the end of my story.
(at the word “story”--------all bow from the waist. Applause----applause----more bows----applause----toward end of applause all cast move toward audience offering small container of green makeup-------laugh and talk)
Finis
Act One
Narrator:
I am going to tell you a story. I want you to listen. Once upon a time there was a place called Flowerville. Now Flowerville was a funny place. Some things didn’t make sense there. It was a beautiful place to live because of all the tall trees. But almost everybody made money by cutting down those trees and cutting them up to make toilet paper and houses and things for people that didn’t live there. It had beautiful rivers full of fish. But many people went to the bathroom in those rivers and made them dirty. There were many different kinds of people, but there were almost no brown people, or yellow people, or black people. Many people had plenty of money and were happy, but lots of people had no money and were not happy. But people had opinions: Let’s listen to a logger-----
(pause)
(Curtain opens)
Logger: (angrily)
I work damn hard for my money!!! Busting your butt in the woods ten-twelve hours a day is hard work. People that don’t work hard like me don’t deserve money. And I don’t want to share my money with them. Why should I kill myself cuttin’ timber and these people sit around and eat up my profits!!! They are bad people. My ex-wife is one of them and I know she is a bad person. She doesn’t ever work!! She sits around the house and takes care of my four kids and never does a lick of work!! All she does is bitch at me about money. I can’t afford to work my tail off and turn around and give my money to her!!! A lot of pointy-headed intellectuals I’ve seen on T.V. say that somehow we owe her a living!! That is bull!!! I’m not going to work as hard as I do and turn around and give my money to her. You should see what those kids eat!! I can’t afford it. These people are just going to have to find someone else to sponge off of. No Sir!! Not this guy!!!
(pause-----steps back and glares)
Narrator:
Telling the logger that all kids have to eat didn’t help. And there were more opinions. Let’s listen to a “nice lady”.
(Turns toward stage) (Nice lady enters primly)
“Nice lady”:
These people do not act right!! My husband makes “nice” money and I have a “nice” house and “nice” children and I do “nice” things. What is the matter with these people? I can’t think of anything they do properly!! Their clothes are not stylish and their speech is improper and I can’t imagine what they do at night!!! I know they drink too much in scary-looking places and they don’t look right and I suspect they mingle sexually. My friends and I are all offended!! I do not approve!! They are not “nice”
(walks back huffily to join logger)
Narrator:
Telling the “nice” people that there are different strokes for different folks didn’t help. And there were more opinions. Let’s listen to a business man.
(turns toward stage) (business man enters)
Business Man:
Let me tell you something from my many years of experience. There is no money to be made with these people. Even during the peak Christmas season, they just stare in the window and don’t buy a damn thing. Their kids paw all over the merchandise and leave without spending any money. And even if you work out some low payment high interest system for them, they usually don’t keep up with payments and you have to go out and take the stuff back!! Why just last week I had to repossess a couch, a chair, and three beds from some woman and all she did was stand around and cry!!! No profit in it at all!!!
(pause) (turns around and turns back)
Do you thing this is easy for me? I work hard to display attractive items and all they want is something for nothing!!! It’s the same thing with my rentals-----these people are always after me to do something for nothing-----you know-----fix the toilet, replace the windows, install a heater-----I will tell you right now!!! I am sick of it!!
(turns to join others) (pauses---over shoulder) I’m sure you understand!!
(joins others)
Narrator:
Telling the business man that lots of kids and no money is bad business didn’t help. And there were more opinions. Let’s listen to a teacher.
(teacher lazily enters)
Teacher:
[You have] to wonder about the children. They seem lazy and unhappy and their clothes are a disgrace!!! I’ve gone to college for five years and sometimes even I can’t understand them. They act different from the nice children. I try to educate these parents during conferences in my office and they just sit and look at me. You would think we didn’t speak the same language. It really makes you wonder!!! If I ever get married and have children I am going to make sure they don’t act that way!!! Why don’t their parents discipline them??? Where are their fathers?? I often wonder if these people should be allowed to have children!! Or keep them!!! Maybe nice people should do something to control production. Honestly!!!!!
(stomps off to join others)
Narrator:
Telling the teacher that children can learn more in six years than some people learn in a lifetime didn’t help. --------------------------------
I feel so unhappy----- Let’s listen to one of those people-----a poor person.
Poor person:
I swear to God, everyone is mad at me. I don’t know why----but everyone seems mad at me. I spend a lot of time thinking about it and I can’t understand why. Lots of people seem to hate me wherever I go. The worst part is that after awhile, I begin to agree with them. You know, I begin to hate myself. I know it’s dumb, I know there is no reason to feel that way, but God. Its impossible not to when you feel hate almost everywhere. I’ll tell you something----I don’t really think they hate me----I really think they need to have someone to look down on. (pause) But Lord it’s so confusing. I know I haven’t done anything or if I have, I sure don’t know what it is. I just wish I knew what to do besides survive day by day. I just wish I didn’t remind everyone of what might happen to them.
(walks slowly near to backstage group----they all stare at her hatefully)
Narrator:
Nobody knew what to say to her. Maybe the government knows something. Let’s listen to a public official.
Public Official:
These people cost too much money. And they probably don’t spend it right anyway. They don’t vote, so I don’t have to like them. I think responsible people should decide what to do about them.
(huddle with much discussion)
Narrator:
(while huddle is going on) Well, they thought they had to do something.
(to audience) Let’s all hope that they do something “nice”.
Public Official:
(clears throat) We responsible people have decided that we need to control these people. We have made new rules that will now be the law of the land.
(slowly, clearly, and loudly)
NUMBER ONE: To keep them happy, we will give them just enough money to squeeze by. This shall be called welfare and shame on those who take it.
NUMBER TWO: To keep them full, we will make them go grocery shopping at the post office. They will use monopoly money at the store so we can spot them.
NUMBER THREE: To keep them dry, we will rent them all the junky houses in Flowerville. This way we get most of the welfare money right back to us.
NUMBER FOUR: To tell them what to do, we will set up a special government. The officials will be called caseworkers and counselors and sometimes planners. They will get paid pretty damn good for doing this.
NUMBER FIVE AND MOST IMPORTANT: (slower and louder) To keep track of them, from henceforth and hereon all of these people will color their faces a bright green color. Bright green, so that at least Flowerville will know who is who. We have spoken!!!!!!!
(curtain closes on Act One)
Act Two
Narrator:
So Flowerville got its greenies, as they came to be called, and now you understand my complexion. The new rules did some good, people didn’t starve, but they sure felt bad. They felt lonely and they felt stupid and they felt ashamed. Except for sometimes when they drank special drinks to take away the pain or when they all sat down together to share their feelings.
(curtain opens to five greenies)
#1: What do you guys feel like doing?
#2: Let’s get drunk!!
ALL: I don’t have any money.
I don’t have a baby-sitter.
I don’t want to.
#4: It doesn’t do any good anyway. We really ought to think of something else.
#6: Like what?
#4: I don’t know, but it sure feels good just talking to other greenies.
#2: I don’t think we’re supposed to.
#3: Who says?
#2: My caseworker!!!
#4: I don’t know about you guys but I’m sick of always being told what to do.
#3: Shut up!!! What if someone heard you?
#4: I just don’t care anymore. If we got together maybe someone would listen.
#5: (sarcastically) Oh sure-----you know damn well we don’t even speak the same language.
#1: They’ll take away our welfare!!!! How will we feed our kids?
#5: I met some people the other day who were kind of half greenies. Maybe they would help us. They know both languages.
#2: I heard of some greenies from north of Flowerville over the mountains who have meetings and every thing.
#4: And I heard of some other greenies from south of Flowerville who got money to help other greenies. Maybe we could do something like that.
(all agree and think except #3)
#3: (jumps up) Shit!!!! You guys are nuts!! You’re just going to start trouble. (hysterical) I don’t want any part of this!!!! (starts rubbing off makeup)
#4: What are you doing?!?!
#3: (exiting) I’m getting married!!!!!!
(pause while everyone stares at door where #3 exited)
#2: Wow!! May she wasn’t as green as we thought.
#1: Maybe we ought to try it. We sure don’t have anything to lose!!
#2 I am scared!!!!
#4: So am I but at least we can be scared together.
If we stayed together-------we could be strong and people would listen!!!
#5: And we could always be good to each other even if nobody else was.
#1: (thinking) What should we call ourselves??
#4: (idea) How about the “Green Action Group”?!?!?
ALL: Laughter----------------reaction
#2: (sarcastically) Oh great!!!! G—A—G = GAG!!!!
ALL: Reaction (laughter and discussion)
#4: Sounds good to me.
#5: God, its going to be a lot a work. (thoughtful pause) And a lot of meetings!!!!!
(great commotion offstage-----------all react)
(“nice lady” rushes in, hysterical, clothes torn up, hair messy, weeping)
ALL: What happened?!?!?!
Nice lady: I don’t want to be this color but my “nice” husband left me!!!!
(all sympathize and calm her down)
#4: Sit down. We’re with you.
We’ve got work to do.
(all talk together and show love)
(curtain close on Act Two)
INTERMISSION
Act Three
(Curtain opens on busy office with giant sign saying Green Action Group in background.
First act and second act players plus five more greenies, some with all green faces, some
with half/half, some with polka dots, some with single green dot in middle of forehead –
-----rush around shuffling great heaps of forms and with much discussion and acting
busy. Two typewriters click busily and telephones ring)
(actors become quiet and pantomime roles)
Narrator:
(when all quiet) Years passed in Flowerville, and thousands of hours of meetings
happened, and people fought and people made up, and people came and people went
away, but the one thing that stayed was green power!!!! (pause) Green Action Group
became an idea that worked and Flowerville was never quite the same again. (pause)
But-----It wasn’t easy. There were always problems. But many people worked very hard
and greenies were able to do many things to help their fellow greenies.
Flowerville changed!!!
Let’s watch: ------------- (turns toward stage)
#4: Let’s get organized around here!!!!
#2: That’s easy for you to say!!!
#10: Yeah-----Who made you top greenie anyway??
#1: Hey-----let’s be nice.
#6: We’ve got work to do!!
(phone rings-------all listen as #4 answers and has conversation)
(#4 hangs up----with disgusted look on face)
#5: What wrong now??????
#4: That was Capitol City--------our greenie clinic has been de-funded again!!!!
#3: Oh shit!!!!!!! (general reaction)
#2: Well you gave up before------why not do it again?!?!?!?!
#3: I’ve learned my lesson-----let’s think instead of run!!
#6: Do we still have the picket signs from the last time?
#4: Yeah, but we better have a “GAG” meeting to decide what to do.
#8: My God, that’s the fifteenth meeting this week and it’s only Tuesday!!!!!
Public Official: Let me talk to some people and see what I can do. The Greenie Clinic is
too important to let it die!!!!
(pause while official dials phone)
#10: (sadly) Sometimes I think there’s too many problems and not enough Greenies!!!!!
#3: That wouldn’t be true if you’d get off your ass and recruit some more people.
#10: Hey, listen!!!! I’m only a damn volunteer!!!!!
(pause)
#7: (wondering) What’s de-funded mean anyway?
#4: Don’t you know their language yet? That’s “nice” people talk for screwed!!!!
(pause) (commotion off stage----------all react)
(new Greenie # rushes in, dropping papers and very upset)
ALL: Calm down!!!
What’s the matter???
Get hold of yourself!!!!
New Greenie: My God-----we’ve got trouble!!! (slowly a bunch of the polka we hired in
the green start program are going to quit!!!! They say green power is dumb!!!!!
“Nice lady”: (when all quiet) Oh swell-----who is going to teach my kid?
#2: This is disaster!!!
#1: I give up!!!
(#3 grabs #1)
#3: What are we going to do now?!?!
(reaction)
#8: (sarcastically) I know----have another thousand meetings!!!
(all agree and worry)
#7: (unhappy) Maybe they are right. I’ve got to go home and think about this.
(#7 exits unhappily)
#3: Giving up won’t help!!
#2: Maybe she wasn’t as green as we thought!!!!
“Nice lady” It takes awhile to learn!!!
(all discuss nosily)
#4: Wait a minute. Don’t panic!!! Maybe we can hire some greenies who need the money and love the kid!!
(all agree)
“New” Greenie #2 (polka-dot) enters unhappily with head bowed and flops in chair)
Logger: What’s wrong with her?
#10: Who knows?!?!
Please talk to us
“New Greenie”: I give up!
Nice Lady: You might as well say it.
Public Official: Please do!
“New Greenie”: Greenshine house has to find a new home!!! And we’re broke!
#9: What happened!!
#10: (to Greenie) Don’t worry!!!
Logger: Somebody please tell me--------how am I supposed to work if there’s no place for my kids?
(pause----------all depressed)
#6: I’m sure we can learn something from all this. I think Flowerville cares!
“Nice Lady”: (hysterically) I just don’t think I can take it anymore!!!!
(all react noisily)
#4: (when noise dies) (with great feeling) Wait a minute, listen to me, I think we better start talking about the real problem. (slowly) We get so busy running around, we forget to explain what we’re really up to.
#5: But its so complicated!
(reaction)
#2: Not really. Green is beautiful!!!!
(reaction: agreement)
#6: If we are together we can be strong. We have to stick together.
#1: If we learn to deal with our own problems, we can grow together!!!
#4: If we can take care of each other, there will always be someone who cares!
#3: But will people really listen if we explain what’s happening?? Does Flowerville really care what greenies think?
(all frown and think) (long silence)
(slowly all the greenies turn and stare directly into the eyes of audience)
Narrator: (stands up) (loudly) Will you??????
All: Listen!!!!!!
Narrator: Can you?
All: Listen!!!!!!
Narrator: Have you?
All: Listened!!!!!!!
(all continue staring at audience)
Narrator: (slowly) Maybe someday Flowerville won’t need special laws for greenies. Maybe someday there won’t be greenies but just people. We all need each other. Fighting can destroy us all. Flowerville’s greenies need all people so we can all throw away our masks. (pause) And that is the end of my story.
(at the word “story”--------all bow from the waist. Applause----applause----more bows----applause----toward end of applause all cast move toward audience offering small container of green makeup-------laugh and talk)
Finis
1 comment:
Anna, it was great to read the script again. I had forgotten how powerful it is. It brings back great memories. Margaret
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