Jick's Journey
by Sally Drumm
in collaboration with John Blair and Dennis Adams
© 2007 Sally Drumm & Dennis Adams
Photos byJohn Blair and used with permission

Act 3, SCENE 1

[Serpent's Root. Dead birds and dead small rodents are everywhere. More birds fall from the sky as the minutes until midnight pass evermore quickly by. Very few animal eyes sparkle in the darkness. A strobe flashes slowly, as if a storm is coming. PHISTO reclines/coils among the stump roots, the Bag of Days still tied around his neck.]

PHISTO: Here upon the roots of life, I await my finest hour.

[A dead bird drops from the sky.]

PHISTO: [Laughing.] This treasure chest around my neck ensures the child to me will come. And once I have her in my grasp, we two shall cleave, then run amuck on Dawnland, sleeping now so peacefully. I want the world, and I want it now! Blood in the streets up to the rooftops! Blood in my teeth, to the tip of my tail! With my staff, I'll rule Darkland and Dawnland, beast and human! Here I dwell upon these ancient roots, a wave in wait; my strike is lightning, my kiss is death, my fangs impale, my poison burns, and with this Pearl, my rule of light and dark returns. All ages of life have known me, but none can control me, I shed my skin to renew my youth, I, Lord of the Tides, and King of the Dew. The Celts drove me off, but they never forget, they never scoff when my hiss whispers in a wishful ear. The Elamite names me Ningizzada; the Hebrew calls me Nehushtan; the Veda names me Vritra; the Greek calls me Typhon the Titan; the Buddhist names me Muchalinda; the Roman calls me Meilichios; the Christian names me Leviathan — I am all names, all forms, all times, but here, in my sanctuary, a new moon will soon appear. And when my little Honey-cake shows her face to take my bait...

[JICK and SEERA enter from stage right; hide behind shrubs out of PHISTO's scent range.]

PHISTO: ...with just one kiss, another chance at bliss! A new darkness unleashed upon this age! I am meant to rule, for I am the Anguipede, the Snake-Footed God — Phisto, is my own true name, ruling Light and Dark is my game! As for that pesky Koubis, every king must have his knight, and for now, Koubis will serve.

[PHEEBES, VLAD and ALUNA join JICK and SEERA.]

ALUNA: Who-who will take back the Bag of Days?

JICK: Shhhhhh. I've never ever seen a snake like this! So this is Phistog?

SEERA: Phisto! Pheebes could do it — he could steal the bag from Phisto's neck!

VLAD: Atunci, vine! (ah-TOON-ch, VEE-neh) I'd like to see that!

PHEEBES: Shnotzle-rot — oh dear, here I go!

[Falls over, plays 'possum. Loud enough for PHISTO to hear. VLAD repeatedly bites him. PHISTO glances their way, but pretends not to notice, grinning slyly to himself.]

ALUNA: Who-who falls on his back at the twig's drop? Who lights the way must go.

SEERA: I cannot carry such a heavy load!

VLAD: I —

JICK: I'm not scared. He's just another beastie-beast. I'll kick him, grab the bag, and run.

ALUNA: Who hypnotizes with one glance? Who turns to stone all Two-Legs who take the chance?

SEERA: She's right! Jick, remember our secret!

JICK: [JICK, deep in thought, doesn't really hear SEERA. VLAD bites JICK.] OW! Stop that, Vlad! Behave. Sit! Be a good flea! I know what we can do! I see this all the time in cartoons. Pheebes, you run up from that side — over there. Make Phisto think you've come to talk — like a diplomat! Aluna, once Pheebes gets him talking, you swoop in — but don't get too close! Vlad, stick with Pheebes; he might need your help. Seera, you'll have to keep him looking that way! I'll run up behind him and rip the bag from his neck and then I'll run away! I can run really, really fast, faster than him, I bet! He doesn't have legs!

PHEEBES: [Worried.] You have no tail! But what will I do if that, that, Devil's Dictionary tries to bite me?

JICK: Don't worry. Everything will be so fast ...I bet you won't get a word out before Aluna and Seera swoop in. And I'll be so fast, it'll all be over in a flash. Go on, Pheebes. Get going!

[PHEEBES shakes his head, slowly moves to Stage Right Center.]

PHISTO: Who have we here? Mister Supper?

PHEEBES: I've come, Sir, about the Bag of Days you're wearing around your —

[Stage Right Center and Stage Right, PHISTO lunges. PHEEBES rolls and plays 'possum. VLAD and ALUNA attack PHISTO. SEERA stays with JICK. JICK races behind PHISTO, reaches for the bag. PHISTO knocks ALUNA down. SEERA flies to her aid, tries to rouse her. PHISTO turns on JICK. Their eyes meet. JICK stands as if in a trance, her mouth opened forming the word, "Silence..."]

PHISTO: Here you are and Here am I! What a surprise! Come along, my Bride!

[Lights down as PHISTO guides the enchanted JICK toward the stump roots. All characters, except PHISTO and JICK, remain frozen in position, Stage Right, Stage Right Center.]

ACT 3, SCENE 2

[Down Lights, purple mix of red and blue, blacklight aimed Stage Left, Stage Left Center, Stage Up Left Center, Stage Left Center — PHISTO's Pit, where PHISTO is spinning JICK like a doll. Until she awakens, JICK plays the scene like a puppet under control of a master puppeteer. During the Serpent Song, PHEEBES stealthily makes his way into position to extend his tail to JICK in the pit, at just the right moment. NOTE: The bag of days must be tied with a slipknot around Phisto's neck. Lights up on only PHISTO and JICK in the pit.]

PHISTO: Ahhhh, Nymph, my dove; Medusa, my love — don't worry, this pit won't be our home for long. [Spins JICK and begins to sing or chant, to the tune of the Doors' "The Crystal Ship," slowly, softly, as he moves her seductively around the pit area.]

Serpent Song

Before we rule the world, there's just one thing,
A tiny sacrifice to make,
At last, at last, a chance for bliss,
Your willing kiss, your willing kiss.

A doubling of the same forever,
A sum of two plus one makes one,
At last, at last, a chance for bliss,
Your willing kiss, your willing kiss.

Don't tell me that you won't say yes,
For Dawnland's streets are fields of death,
At last, at last, a chance for bliss,
Your willing kiss, your willing kiss.

The Precious Pearl will only heal,
When we become one darkling sun,
At last, at last, a chance for bliss,
Your willing kiss, your willing [pause and last word spoken.] kiss.

[PHISTO and JICK face to face. JICK's back to stage right. ALUNA's faint Who's heard.]

PHISTO: Now, sugar and spice and everything soon to be dead, kiss me!

[PHISTO closes his eyes and waits. SEERA's wings flutter near JICK's face.]

ALUNA: Who-Who must take the tail?

[JICK rouses, PHEEBES' tail moves beside her, tickling her face. JICK giggles, just a little.]

PHISTO: [Eyes still closed, waiting expectantly.] Yes, Yes!

[VLAD pinches JICK's arm.]

JICK: OW!

PHEEBES: Take the tail!

[JICK grabs PHEEBES' tail and reaches for the Bag of Days around PHISTO's neck.]

JICK: [Grabs the bag and pulls.] Never, Beastie-beast! Silence Silences Silence: Tiree, Tiray!

[PHISTO, entranced by SEERA's Word-Charm, is helpless as JICK is pulled out of the pit. Strobe light flashes on stage as all the creatures come back into action. PHISTO shakes off the trance and pursues JICK. KOUBIS watches from shadows.]

PHISTO: I tell you, you all must die! The Ancient lies!

[JICK runs, but slips and falls; the bag flies. KOUBIS enters and runs for it. JICK gets to her feet and runs toward the bag. Both reach it at the same time. KOUBIS gets the bag and runs center stage with VLAD chasing KOUBIS. JICK scrambles to her feet and follows VLAD. Meanwhile, PHISTO attacks and bites PHEEBES. ALUNA and SEERA come to PHEEBES' rescue. The three chase PHISTO offstage. KOUBIS is bitten so badly that the bag flies into the air. VLAD or one of the other helpful creatures catches the bag. A round of keep away ensues. KOUBIS runs from creature to creature, just missing the bag, until he gets so dizzy and Vlad-bitten that he falls down and can't get up. JICK is given the bag. ALUNA and VLAD hound KOUBIS offstage. PHEEBES crawls toward JICK.]

SEERA: Jick, follow me!

JICK: Pheebes, what's wrong!

PHEEBES: That slithering slawthorn bit me! You go on — I'll meet you at Nerus's pool.

[PHEEBES crawls off stage.]

JICK: This is awful!

SEERA: We have the bag! Let's go!

JICK: Can't you take it — you can fly faster than I can run!

SEERA: NO! It's too heavy! The midnight hour draws near — my candle melts!

[ENTER VLAD.]

VLAD: Hai, haidem! (HIGH, HIGH-dehm) At your service, Perla mea (Pehr-lah Meh-ah) — Little Pearl!

JICK: YEAAAAAA!

[JICK is carried offstage on VLAD's back.]

ACT 3, SCENE 3

[NERUS' Pool, seconds before midnight, SEERA's light is barely visible and only a pair or two of animal eyes face the audience from the darkness. Lights up on SEERA standing on the boulder in NERUS' pool, her wings outstretched. The other creatures and JICK surround the pool. JICK is directly in front of SEERA. The creatures and JICK sing the otter song. PHEEBES is injured, having been bitten by PHISTO.]

Otter Song

Hai! Green leaf, fresh leaf,
Tender little leaf.
La la la la la la la.
The swift brown otter
Knows the way to swim.
La la la la la la la.

In the nighttime, under moonlight,
All along the fords and rivers.
Follow — unless you want to drown.
Follow, or you're going to drown.

Hai! In the nighttime, under moonlight.
La la la la la la la.
Under moonlight, in the nighttime.
La la la la la la la.

Otter brings you to the cool springs,
To refresh you, up and down
Cooling your arms with blooms of death,
Cooling with blooms of death.

Hai! In the nighttime, under moonlight.
La la la la la la la.
Under moonlight, in the nighttime.
La la la la la la la.

NEERUS: To guard and to tend the days in this pool is my duty. To choose and to pluck the new day is mine to do as well! But hardest of all, I must give up that which I love so much!

[NERUS ceremonially hands the pearl of the new day to SEERA.]

SEERA: So the Ancient said long, long ago. The Old Day's pearl and I, together we must fade, so that the light of each new day may shine in Dawnland. Ashes-to-ashes, dust-to-dust, light of moon, light of sun, born of water, back to water each ray runs! Jick, this is your pearl!

[SEERA gives the pearl to JICK.]

JICK: But I don't know how to —

SEERA: You know — after all, you are meant to be here. As the Ancient foretold, on this old day, Venus aligns with the moon, as do you and I. With this new day comes a new age!

JICK: But this pearl [remembering.]...my Pearl — I don't know if I can let go...

NERUS: Mors janua vitae! O, Precious Pearl, how well I know that lament!

ALUNA: Who-Who, Who-Who, Who-Who —

[A dead bird drops from the sky.]

ALUNA: Who-Who, Who-Who, Who-Who —

PHEEBES: [Holding his tail where PHISTO has bitten him.] Ohhheooooo, my tail ...Make-ready! Ever-ready! The new day arrives!

[PHEEBES plays 'possum.]

VLAD: Zile noua, drumul nou! (ZEE-leh NOH-wuh,DROO-mool NOHW!) A new day, a new way! I fear I might have to find a new home. It seems this dug is done!

[VLAD Grabs PHEEBES' tail and begins biting it like an ear of corn.]

ALUNA: Who-Who, Who-Who, Who-Who, Who-Who, Who-Who, Who-Who!

[JICK throws the pearl into the pool. Lights on SEERA, who sinks into a pile on the boulder. Lights off SEERA. Light sequence of dark colors [Aurora borealis.] announces the new day. Animal eyes flash everywhere. When lights come back up, SEERA is gone, as is VLAD.]

JICK: [Stunned.] Seera! Seera!

PHEEBES: [PHEEBES pounds his belly like a tom-tom, the beats are heard from backstage] I'm cured! New day, new way, scrumpdiddilyicious! Froooooooogs for breakfast!

VLAD: Ah, first meal of the day! Make way, Dug! [Leaps on PHEEBES. They tussle, play leapfrog.]

JICK: [Sadly, as if something long forgotten returns.] Orange juice ...cinnamon buns....

SEERA: [From offstage.] Of all things old we must let go!

[SEERA's blue light plays across the audience and makes its way to the stage where her light plays around JICK's face.]

JICK: You are here! I thought you died!

NEERUS: [Preaching from boulder.] Nothing dies or lasts forever in Thomas Wood, so long as the next day is tended and the old one tucked away, in this, the Now, we celebrate!

SEERA: [From offstage.] I'm younger than you'll ever be and I'm closer than you'll ever see! Sometimes you have to believe what you cannot see, just to see! Jump onto the boulder, child. Find what you've earned.

JICK: Oh my gosh, Mommmmm! I've gotta get HOME, guys!

NERUS: You'll have to get past me first, ices and spices and everything nices!

JICK: [Assumes strongman stance.] Out of the way, Beastie-beast. I'm on my way!

[NERUS leaps from the boulder into his pool as JICK jumps onto the boulder. NERUS tries to look up her dress. JICK gives NERUS a karate kick. He swims onto land, clapping his hands over his head. JICK finds a single pearl strung on a red silk cord.]

JICK: [Jumping up and down.] This is mine! [She places necklace around her neck.]

SEERA: [Returning to the stage.] Yes, of all creatures, memory is your gift!

JICK: Thank you, I love it! I love it! And it seems so ...well, like I've seen it before. As if —

NEERUS: Of course you have — that's yesterday's pearl! A drop of dew is due! Besides, it's not you should be thanking us, it's us should be thanking you! We would have lost today without you!

ALUNA: Who-who remembers yesterday! Who dreams of the future today? Jick — that's who!

JICK: [Still on the boulder.] I do love it here, guys, but my Mom's gonna be worried. I've been gone a long, long time! I really do need to get going. I'm sure Mom's waiting for me by now.

[All the creatures become sad.]

NERUS: Though we had a bargain we never meant to break, it seems with us your home you'll have to make!

[In the distance, KOUBIS laughs. JICK stands on the boulder, stunned.]

NERUS: If I could, I'd swim you to Dawnland —

ALUNA: I'd Fly you back—

PHEEBES: I'd carry you on my tail —

VLAD: Pe spate (peh SPAH-te) — I'd carry you on my back —

SEERA: I'd light the way—

CREATURES TOGETHER: But none of us knows the way!

JICK: [Falls to the boulder's surface as if in a faint.] Do I really have to stay? [She picks up a leaf from the boulder, and rises holding the leaf aloft.]

CREATURES: NO! Put it down!

JICK: But why? [JICK holds up the leaf and spins once, and begins singing, haltingly.] Green leaf...fresh leaf...tender little leaf-...You're so wonderful! [JICK looks at the leaf in awe.] Wow, you're covered with moving circles, and in each one, words! Love ...Life... Cleave Wood ...Convey!

[JICK begins spinning as if caught in a whirlwind. ALUNA's tree begins shaking. The creatures watch in awe as JICK spins off the boulder and onto the ground. As she spins, the hollow in the tree is illuminated. The hollow is revealed as a blackened face: the Ancient. JICK comes to a stop beside the tree, facing it, sideways to the audience. Fiery sparks fill the stage as the Ancient's eyes open and it begins to speak. The Ancient's lines are read from offstage by a male and female voice speaking as one. The ANCIENT's mouth and eyes belong to a stagehand who lip-synchs the Ancient's speech.]

ANCIENT: That's my leaf, Child, my most tender leaf on which each world is writ. Here, in Thomas Wood, I sleep, the oldest tree in the world, but when a leaf of mine is shed, touched by a child and the words writ by Time spoken, only then from the deepest sleep this Ancient is 'wakened. So it was writ in the Book of Worlds, for each new day a new leaf be writ. So too, thought marries wisdom, wisdom marries youth, youth marries love, love marries life, and life marries memory to bear again the seeds of thought as sparks of fire in flint do sprout, with greater ease and brilliance, than the seasons brief do glint. Quod vitae sectabor iter? What sort of life will each one choose? The yes or no to peace or deceit? The spirit of truth, though it seems a dream, is in your hearts as in this scene. Primitive though we appear in this sphere, a door shall be opened by simple laws clothed in the constellation of a moment, a moment when one becomes two, two become three, and out of this third, each new day is bled, a ray of light into spectrum spread, by way of instinct and spirit, this pearl is led! Nerus, come forward!

[NERUS comes forward, bowing, and prostrates before the ANCIENT.]

ANCIENT: You have loyally guarded and tended the days, and to this sweet melon, your loyalty gave. Look upon her now, and see in her face the truth of denial.

NERUS: Ancient, as you command, so I shall do!

[NERUS looks into JICK's face.]

JICK: I much prefer an otter to a walrus!

NERUS: I am an otter! An otter is the finniest thing to be!

[NERUS dances away toward the pool.]

ANCIENT: Aluna! Come forward!

[ALUNA swoops into place before the Ancient, gracefully bows to the ground and remains there.]

ANCIENT: You have bargained with fools and chosen truth over lies. To the child you give wisdom. Look to her now, and see your return!

ALUNA: Who Commands? Who Obeys? [Looking upon JICK.] Who? Whose purity and innocence keep me alive? [ALUNA swoops onto her perch.]

ANCIENT: Pheebes! Come forth!

[PHEEBES gingerly moves forward, plays 'possum before the Ancient.]

ANCIENT: In anger, self-respect was lost as fur from your tail was stolen. Now, look upon this little one, and see your self restored.

PHEEBES: Yes, Ancient, what's writ in clouds shall come to pass.

[PHEEBES rolls onto his paws, stands on two legs facing JICK.]

JICK: My you are brave! Just like me! [She assumes her strongman stance; PHEEBES mimics her, then bounces away, pounding his tom-tom belly.]

ANCIENT: Vlad, take your place!

[VLAD leaps into place before the ANCIENT.]

ANCIENT: Un purice (oohn POOH-ree-cheh), brave one, what usually bites has been bitten, and I do believe the child's love of you has sapped your sadness! How, now, tomorrow's sorrows?

VLAD: Ancient, my honor serves [Salutes, still holding the salute, right faces to JICK, steps off with the left foot, always the left foot first, Warrior.]

[VLAD bows to JICK, JICK curtsies. They go for a spin, as if they were at a ball; together they sing a couple of lines from the Otter Song, both of them joyful! VLAD spins JICK back to her spot beside the Ancient. VLAD leaps toward the wings, becomes a red light that plays across JICK, who slaps playfully.]

JICK: Ow! Ow ...ow ...ow!

ANCIENT: Seera, make yourself known!

[SEERA appears before the Ancient. She spreads her wings and stands before it with her wings spread.]

ANCIENT: You light the path, but a child's belief gives life to light! She is you as you are she. Face her now and see!

SEERA: As you please, Ancient. [Bows and turns toward JICK.]

[SEERA faces JICK. They bend elbows and touch palms. SEERA's light begins to play. SEERA swoops around and then beyond JICK. SEERA becomes light again and flickers about JICK's face and body. JICK giggles uncontrollably.]

JICK: Stop tickling, please, please, UNCLE ...Uncle ...Uncle [JICK leaps and spins, then comes to rest at her place beside the tree.]

[VLAD's and SEERA's lights continue to play upon the stage and the audience until the scene's final moment.]

ANCIENT: Phisto and Koubis — Forward, March!

[KOUBIS and PHISTO, both of them worse for wear, hangdog into place before the Ancient. Both kneel before it.]

ANCIENT: Some do bad that others might do good. Treachery and Death's flower, this twain shall not the future touch — not this day. Workers of mischief, in Darkland you will stay. Be gone to your pits, your burrows of death, lick your salt wounds, and plan your next moves, but so long as hope lives in one human heart, you cannot claim the pearl!

[KOUBIS slinks into darkness. PHISTO, too grovels away, but stops beside the pool. A tear falls from his eye into the pool. JICK sticks her tongue out and waggles her fingers in her ears as they go.]

ANCIENT: We all remember the fishes and ices of which we once supped so freely. Of cucumber and leek, of onion and garlic, we did partake. But of this precious melon [ANCIENT nods toward Jick.], we remember this most clearly: Ashes to dust, all fall away, back to earth, this day, too, shall dry away. But nothing matters beside this manna, this child who stands before our eyes, new-born, new-dressed, fawn, peach, rose, or leaf, you Child, water of heaven manifest of darkness, aqua nostra, mercurius vivus, argentums vivum, vinum ardens, aqua vitae, succus lunariae, of you I speak as two watches wound in one moment. Sap of Moon Plant, Precious Pearl, Princess Melonis, in you dissolves all created. Deepest ground of gently streaming peace, here, all quarreling children come to rest in dreamless sleep. Just as Aluna soaring in space becomes weary, and bending her wings glides here to her rest, so too does the human spirit strive to that place of sleep, where no desire stirs and no dream is seen. Desire attained, desireless — sorrows end. Luna, folded in my sweet embrace! Sol, brightest light known to the human race! Yet you need me! As the ever-living waters of the moon shining-full to the sun do flow, as shadows in the rapture of this wilderness do need light to grow, we are of one nature, you and I! Est et Non, I am you and you are me and where you go, there am I, sown in all things, lapis lazuli, Corpus Poetarum, a book never-ending. You need me as I need you, and so we two turn back to primitive space in search of grace. Be you strong as I! Guard my green spirit above as if it were your own below! Here, in Darkland, Little Pearl, you cannot stay! Embark upon the Waterwheel! From twilight 'cross the terrible waters, to Dawnland you must go alone. Do not stray! Be on your way — catch hold this ray!

[Lightning flashes, thunder roars. Stage goes black.]

ACT 3, SCENE 3

[Up Stage Center JICK in her bed. Lights create Dawn in JICK's bedroom.]

JICK: [Awakening, she mumbles in her sleep.] Flying ...I love flying — Huh? [Sits up, rubs her eyes, looks around.] Where am I? When am I? Oh! Pearl! Ohhhhh. What was that — I was flying. But where was I? Oh! Thomas Wood! Nerus — an otter. Oh, I miss him. Why did I have to wake up? The Pearl! Here it is! The new day — today! Yeaaaaaa! There were other things in that place! Aluna, my wise little owl. And Pheebes, you funny beastie-beast, I was so mad about Pearl dying until I met you. And now — why, I know how brave I really am!

JICK: Who else was there? Remembering's so hard! Hmmmmm. If only I could remember every little thing!

[Thinks with chin on hand, classic thinker pose.]

JICK: VLAD! Oh he was such a sweet puppy! And now I can leap and jump just like him — and the world, why it looks so much brighter than yesterday — as if every color in my crayon box had gone black. But Vlad showed me how to see the world! Every day's the first day — red and blue, brown and gold, Purpley Perfect! [Suddenly sad.] SEERA! Oh, Seera, I love you most of all. You were there on the path when I thought I was alone. You were my very best friend in the forest. Now they're gone! All of them! And I've never dreamed the same dream twice! They're gone! Forever! Like my Pearl!

[She grabs the pearl, holds it up before her eyes. Realization comes across her face.]

JICK:O, Pearl, you're not lost! And you're not just near my heart — you're in my heart!

[Lights Down.]

THE END

Costume/Set/Lighting/Music Suggestions

• All characters except Koubis and Phisto wear necklaces of Pearls. This jewelry is made from days past. The new pearl, or new day, is formed by a drop of dew fallen into a shell that has risen to the surface of the pool. The discarded pearl, or old day, is collected by the creatures and made into necklaces.
• Creatures might represent themselves visually by wearing half-masks that leave the mouth and chin exposed. Leotards would then work for bodies, except winged creatures have "cape" wings, and furry creatures have fur, maybe just a one-shoulder fur wrap over the leotard. Black pants would also work. Think Tribal.
• The yellow Jick wears represents the sun, or life.
• Set and Lighting: Most of the action takes place in a dream. Lighting effects include strobes, blacklight, lightning flash, Aurora Borealis, and Dawn. The set represents a dreamscape. Stagehands are part of the play. They should dress in black. Some may choose to have their pants legs rolled up, go barefoot, or appear shirtless. The curtains should be drawn only between Act 1, Scene 1 and Act 1, Scene 2 and between Act 3, Scene 2 and Act 3, Scene 3 to allow the bed to be removed/replaced and for Jick to position herself without the audience's knowledge. Curtains are partially closed when the bed is Down Stage Center (Act 1, Scene 2 and Act 3, Scene 3). For all other scene changes, stage crew movements must be choreographed and carried out to music. The Ancient is played by a stagehand that is either in black face or wearing a black nylon stocking over his or her head when he or she appears in Aluna's Roost during Act 3, Scene 2.
  Unless the Bag of Days is returned to Nerus, life will end. As the plot unfolds, dead birds drop from the sky and animal eyes glimmering in the background at scene changes become fewer and fewer to represent the Wood dying as the minutes until midnight tick away. Dead birds (symbolic of dead peace) can be made from white crew socks with paper wings (cut from index cards and machine sewn to the sock). The sock is partially filled with beans, rice or birdseed, and tied off with twine to create a head from the toe of the sock and a tail from the crew/ankle end. To be feathered, birds are then sprayed with adhesive and thrown into a bag containing white feathers from a pillow.
• Music: Romanian; Gypsy; Thai kickboxing music; East Indian or American Indian; instrumental music is recommended to avoid having the audience attach lyrics to action as representative of theme. American Indian music works excellently for the moment between act 1, Scene 1 and Act 1 Scene 2 and between Act 3, Scene 2 and Act 3, Scene 3, when Jick is awaking in either Thomas Wood or her bedroom. Although both songs in the play can be sung to well-known tunes, actors are encouraged to improvise.
• This is a physical play whose success depends upon actors' portrayals of the creatures. Stage directions do not include instructions on how to channel the creatures. Actors are encouraged to improvise. Creatures can be on stage even when they are not in the script. What would those not in the scripted scene be doing while others are bringing the script to life?

ACT 1

ACT 2

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